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Splinters is a documentary film that takes viewers into the fascinating world of professional surfing in Papua New Guinea. This movie was directed by Adam Pesce and released in 2011. The film follows the lives of four surfing legends - Andrew Abel, Melinda Mercurio, Fredrick Dada and Lesley Aru - as they prepare for the country's first national surfing competition.

The movie centers around the small seaside village of Vanimo, located on the northern coast of Papua New Guinea. This remote area is home to some of the most beautiful and untouched waves in the world, but it is also a place with significant economic and social challenges. Here, surfing represents a way for young people to escape poverty and find a sense of purpose in their lives. However, the sport is also relatively new to the region, and many people don't understand or respect it, leading to conflict and tension within the community.

The documentary provides a glimpse into the lives of the four surfers mentioned above, and their struggles both on and off the water. They each have unique stories, from Abel's battle with cancer to Mercurio's struggles to reconcile her love for surfing with the expectations of her traditional community. Dada, one of the local surfers, is attempting to balance his passion for the sport with his role as a father and his responsibilities as a local politician. Meanwhile, Aru is a rising star in the surfing world, but must navigate the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated sport and society.

The film also provides a significant amount of context around the cultural and economic struggles faced by the people of Vanimo. We see the impact of foreign aid on the region, and how it has both positive and negative effects. We also see how surfing provides an economic boost to the region, attracting visitors from around the world, but raising questions about whether these financial gains benefit the local communities.

Throughout the film, we see the surfers build relationships with each other and with the local people, overcoming cultural barriers and stereotypes. They share a love for the sport that transcends language and cultural differences, and serve as a positive influence on the young people of Vanimo. The surfing competition itself is a celebration of all that they have accomplished, highlighting the unique and beautiful waves of the region and the talent of the local surfers.

To make this film, Adam Pesce spent over two years in Vanimo, gathering footage and building relationships with the local community. The result is a powerful portrait of a unique and complex culture, and a group of individuals who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the surfing world. The cinematography is stunning, with breathtaking shots of the waves and the landscape, and the soundtrack - featuring both local and international music - adds to the film's energy and emotion.

Overall, Splinters is a fascinating and inspiring film that tells a story of perseverance, passion, and cultural exchange. It sheds light on a part of the world and a community that is often overlooked, and provides a powerful testament to the ways in which sport can bring people together and transform lives.

Splinters is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 63.