Film Reviews & News

The Girl In 'El Mar, Mi Alma'

Crystal Thornburg- Homcy is an accomplished longboarder and all round ocean goer and features in El Mar, Mi Alma opening nationally August 12th in Australia.

Patagonia® surf ambassador - Crystal Thornburg-Homcy has a degree in Environmental Science and works closely with a number of environmental non-profits. She lives on the North Shore, where she and her husband acclaimed surf cinematographer, part from working together on surf films such as  El Mar, Mi Alma, also run an organic produce company, Crave Greens.

Crystal is an animal lover, graduated from Chaminade University with a degree in Environmental Science (an emphasis on Humanities) and a minor in art. "Art is a major part of my life," she says. "I love to work with all mediums, such as watercolor, charcoal, acrylics, photography, mix media and fiber arts. I always have some art project going on, taking up all the floor space in my room!" Her art and photos have been shown in art galleries and magazines around the islands.

This photo taken by Crystal Thornburg- Homcy shows her husband Dave Homcy pictured below whilst filming El Mar, Mi Alma in Chile with Director Stephen Jones. Dave Homcy is an acclaimed cinematographer having worked in the film business for over twenty years.

"We were in Bondi screening 'Sliding Liberia' when we met Tatiana Velasco, the producer of El Mar, Mi Alma. Rasta was also present at this event and had given a compelling speech following a video from the Sea Shepherd; He had us all ampted up to join his adventure to campaign against Whaling".

In seeking increased protection of marine mammals and marine life, of reefs and of the whole ocean ecology Surfers for Cetaceans seek out innovative engaging ways to instigate conscious change. El Mar, Mi Alma meaning 'The Sea, My Soul' was not just the name of the Surfers for Cetaceans campaign but also reflects the artistic nature and philosophy behind the two part film project. A project that captured this unique surfing journey on various meduims, using 16mm, 8mm, still photography and HDVD video. Pt 1 is  all the 16mm film and a poetic representation of this journey with Surfers for Cetaceans whilst Pt2 will go into the details of the campaign and events in a more narrative styled documentary.

For me personally, being part of Surfers for Cetaceans was an honor, and a great way to engage locals to promote sustainable industries to a developing Chile in which surfing can be both a positive and leading part of the accruing change. Our journey through Chile started in the arid northern town of Arica and travelled as far south as we could before we need to be present at the International Whale Commission's 60th annual meeting in Santiago. It wasn't my first time to Chile, I had previously volunteered in the Patagonian National Park in Chile chico and have returned as often as I can.

I was present at the World premiere of El Mar, Mi Alma in Santiago at with Chilean featured surfers Christain Merrelo and Ramon Navarro and Chilean/ Australian producer - Tatiana Velasco. The world premiere coincided with my return to Chile's as I was shooting on a production shoot with Jack McCoy for Sol Raiz Organics in Southern Chile. Since the World premiere in Santiago at the Cultural Center of Gabriela Mistral and with the encouraging blessings from a broad spectrum of Chileans,  El Mar, Mi Alma  has been touring Europe since the beginning of June. It premiered at the 10th San Sebastian Surf Film Festival, Spain winning best environmental film. The Australian cinema release co-incides with the launch of the UK segment of the European tour. To have this film being seen in so many corners of the world in cinemas is an amazing achievement for everyone who has contributed to making this beautiful work of art.

Thanks you to Gina Sinotte for the lovely photographs of Crystal at home in Hawaii, and the one of the boys was taken by Crystal herself.

If you would like to find out when 'El Mar, Mi Alma' is screening near you at Hoyts or Event Cinemas this Sunday the 12th.

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