Breath

"Simon Baker (from T.V’s The Mentalist and L.A. Confidential) charges into the director’s chair with dramatic intensity and confidence, adapting Tim Winton 70s coming of age novel Breath. Set in an isolated coastal town in Australia, two ‘grommets’ (novice surfers) Pikelet (Samson Coulter) and Loonie (Ben Spence) are drawn to the waves. As they embrace the chase and challenge a mysterious, battle-hardened, big wave master Sando (Baker) takes them under his wing and pushes them beyond their limits."

"There have been plenty of good surfing documentaries, but very few good dramas about the sport - a short list on which "Breath" instantly earns a prominent spot."

"Simon Baker’s directorial debut is poetic without being pretentious, capturing the natural beauty of the WA coast and the complexity of coming of age."

"Like taking a dip in alluring yet choppy surf, as its characters do often, it's equally vivid and calm, swelling with emotion yet still in its approach."

"Adapting Tim Winton’s acclaimed novel with assurance, affection and a keen understanding of its central search for identity, the measured and moving Breath proves a successful homecoming."

"Observed with warmth and sensitivity, this is a rewarding coming-of-age drama that features terrific performances from two young newcomers in the central roles."

"An excellent, thematically complex, emotionally truthful coming of age story, and a truly impressive directorial debut…"