Customer Reviews

Singlefin: Yellow

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Well, this is without a doubt the single best surf film ever made and to be honest, the price on Amazon is much better than you'll find at any surf shop. I paid $30 for my copy (and two copies for a couple of friends).
Jason Baffa (director) has assembled perhaps the most pure piece of cinema on surfing ever. Shot on 16 mm film, the texture is perfect in reflecting the rays of sunlight and the enthusiasm of surfers. It is a longboard film, but applies to all surfers and non-surfers. The board, SingleFin: yellow, refers to a 9'6" single fin, classic nose rider longboard that is yellow, designed and shaped on film by west coast shaper Tyler Hatzikian (sp?). While creator gives birth to this golden chariot and rides it for the first time, the experience is extended to several other friends around the world for their experience and input. Hence, the most unique surf film ever: The board is the central character.
With loving detail and care, Baffa lets us all in on the shaper's world, the surfer's world and the world of the board only to be reborn (I won't give away too much). It's a psuedo documentary, but the special features with story boards and additional comments shows this was planned all along. It's a masterpiece simply unparalleled in surf film lore.
Singlefin has been building an incredible groundswell of cult following in the past year. One viewing and you'll see why. While there wasn't as much bonus material included in this DVD as, say, Step Into Liguid, the additional stuff is still far more than most surf films that have made it to DVD. Check out the director's commentary, too, as Baffa makes multiple viewings well worth your while with insightful details surrounding the challenges to making the film.
Baffa also plans a pending release of a making of DVD for Singlefin accompanied by a soundtrack CD of the music.
And Oh the music. Folks, this is perhaps the best musical soundtrack ever done for a surf film. I've got Step INto Liquid and Soundtrack and to be honest it's somewhat cliche.
Singlefin has nothing cliche about it and Baffa astutely selected some of the most alternative and progressive west coast artists to set the score for his musical backdrop. Bluebird (yes, a very hardcore band) is featured prominantly but with some of their best and esoteric music ever made from their mystical Black Presence CD. It's progressive and moves the genra forward instead of relying on tired themes. Oma Yang provides the powerful closer on SIngleFin and a plethora of folk and other progressive artists coupled with some original score from Baffa and company provides the clear winner of all time for surf film sounds.
If you love surfing, get this film. If you love good filmmaking, get this film. Baffa provides a sober, clear, serious and spiritually profound look at the world of surfing devoid of cliches that will never be rivaled. It's simply the best surf film ever made.

I'd read/heard the hype but I'm not one to listen to other people much so, I bought my copy off Amazon and enjoyed the hell out of it. I don't know who's idea it was to feature a board over a surfer but it was genius! As if the board had a life of it's own. The surfers, as talented as they are, took back-seat to "Yellow", the real star of the film, and highlights how one board can be ridden in any number of ways on any number of waves (oh, Bongo, that was a steep drop). No inane comments from the competitive surfing peanut gallery, just a short answer to "Why do you surf?" was all that was needed to add "depth" to one singlefin: yellow. A great flick.

This is my absolute favourite film... and that includes all genres! I have watched this about 15 times and I never tire of it. The cinematography and soundtrack are superb and the story is great. Although it is purely longboarding, that doesn't matter because the quality of the surfing is very high and really they could be riding any size of board and it wouldn't take away from the overall vibe of this film. It strikes the perfect balance between surfing and story.

This movie is great. It's got a great idea, look and soundtrack and the surfing is even better. Also don't let the longboarding scare you off if you're not into that type of thing, these guys are charging and they're doing some amazing stuff. I can't think of another recent surf flick where you get to see someone drop a 9'6" deep into a heavy day at Pipe.

I guess for me this is another example of caveat emptor. I bought this largely based on the reviews here, and I was pretty disappointed. The surfing just wasn't that interesting - way way too much nose riding, and not much else. OK nose riding is fine, but there is a lot more about longboarding than hanging 5. The best parts of the movie are the beginning and end - where the shaper describes his work and goes out for an early morning session. Now THAT was great - he ripped, and it was great to see him really using the whole board and the whole wave. I wish the movie had just been about him.

I am a shortboarder who has never riden a longboard or had the want to. This is no more. After having seen this film I want to get a board just like it. This film is genius. It shows the true sprituality and emotions of surfing that keeps those commited to the core going back for more. The board travels around the world to different surfers, who are all just naturally gifted surfers. They talk about their relationship with surfing and what not. Get this film...it honestly is one of my favorite films. Peace, love, and no haters.

I have had the luxury of having surfed in Hawaii in the late 60s and migrated through the 70s, 80s, 90s and into the 21st century of surfing. Singlefin is a vintage piece of surfing lore. This is the sort of film you collect and keep because once the waves are done, they're done. Singlefin is truly a surfing tale that can be watched again and again. If you're both a longboarder and shortboarder as I am you can appreciate Surftech technology and bumpy wax beads on a longboard. Loved the film. You will too.

I own a lot of surf DVD's, long board,short board,mix of both.What makes Singlefin special from the others is that it really is a surf "movie" with a story. Shot on film with great care. ANY surfer will love the pure stoke which moves through out this film. A must for surf DVD collectors who love the life of surfing.

Single Fin: Yellow must be one of the best surf films I have ever seen. You follow the journey of one board all across the world seeing it surfed by 6 of the world's best longboarders (Beau Young, Devon Howard, Bonga Perkins and others) at their local break which includes australia, california, japan, mexico and hawaii. Buy this DVD. If you longboard, you'll love it. If you surf, you'll sure as hell appreciate it!

singlefin: yellow - follows one yellow surfboard around the world as shared by a group of international friends - this unique structure offers new insights into the underground world of surfing - combined with a phenomenal soundtrack and artful cinematography - this arm chair traveler takes the viewer on a unique and fascinating ride - if you love surfing, the ocean or beautiful imagery in poetic motion check out this documentary film - and share it with your friends. no surfing knowledge needed - just appreciation for good filmmaking and passionate people. enjoy.