More than a decade has passed since the original Trilogy (2007), a classic surf film directed by one-time Suffolk Park resident and legendary surf filmmaker Taylor Steele was released. Since then, surfing has transitioned from a countercultural pastime to a mainstream sport. Trilogy: New Wave examines this evolution with a new lens, offering an unexpected perspective of surfing’s present.
Trilogy: New Wave stars Griffin Colapinto, Ethan Ewing and Seth Moniz on a dream quest across the globe for pristine waves in Indonesia, Peru, South Africa and Tahiti. As the pressures of head-to-head competition for a championship crown weigh heavy, the three put fierce rivalries aside and discover how the power of friendship can unlock even greater success in and out of the water.
Taylor Steele also worked as an executive producer on the new Trilogy overseeing its aesthetic and flow.
The film’s stars are three of surfing’s top performers on the current World Surf League Tour. Colapinto, from Southern California, is presently ranked number one on the World Championship Tour (WTC) with Australia’s Ewing number four. Ewing won the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 2023, following in the footsteps of his mum Helen, who rang the bell in 1983, finishing last season in second spot on the WCT. Both Ewing and Colapinto have secured spots to compete for their country at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games.
Director of Trilogy: New Wave, Andrew Mackenzie, says Trilogy: New Wave is really a coming-of-age story. ‘We see the guys mature into the top surf talent in the world. Their genuine friendship helps to unlock success, but don’t be fooled, there’s also a real rivalry between the three.’
‘As they say “iron sharpens iron”, and you see the guys push each other to new heights with each surfing longer, and progressing more quickly than they would alone.’
Mackenzie and Aether Films positioned up to six cameras with a wide variety of angles on a single scene including an FPV racing drone angle that is new to surfing. This allowed Mackenzie to take more chances, cut some camera angles closer and create a completely fresh take on how the world sees surfing.
Trilogy: New Wave has its Byron premiere at Byron Theatre on Saturday, May 18 at 6.30pm. Seats are limited, and every show in Australia has sold out so make sure you book ahead to ensure your spot!
For tickets and more info, visit: byroncentre.com.au/theatre-events/trilogy-new-wave.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
