Watch Big Wata

Big Wata is a 2018 documentary film directed by Gugi van der Velden. The movie takes place in the small fishing community of Busua, Ghana, where a group of local surfers are trying to make a name for themselves in the world of competitive surfing. Although the community's relationship with the ocean goes back generations, surfing is a relatively new sport in Busua. The surfers, who have little access to equipment and training, must rely on their own determination and ingenuity if they hope to make an impact on the global surfing scene.

The film follows the surfers as they set out to host Ghana's first international surf competition, an event that attracts surfers from around the world. The competition is a mixed experience for the local surfers: while it is an opportunity to showcase their skills, the arrival of so many visitors threatens to disrupt the close-knit community they have built. Additionally, the surfers must contend with the realities of ocean pollution and climate change, issues that threaten the very future of their sport.

One of the central figures in the film is Sandy Alibo, a young surfer who has become a local celebrity in Busua for his surfing skills. Sandy is determined to make a name for himself on the global surfing scene, but he faces a number of obstacles, including a lack of resources and family pressures to pursue a more traditional career path. Despite these challenges, Sandy remains focused on his goal, and his drive and passion are a major source of inspiration for the film's other characters.

The movie explores more than just surfing, however. Big Wata is a meditation on the connection between humans and nature, and the ways in which that relationship is threatened by forces beyond our control. The ocean is a powerful presence in the film, at once beautiful, awe-inspiring, and unpredictable. The surfers' respect for the ocean is palpable throughout, and their reverence for this force of nature is a reminder of our own small place in the world.

The film also addresses broader issues of development and globalization, and the complicated relationship between these forces and traditional cultures. Busua is a small community with its own unique identity and way of life, but the arrival of the surfing competition threatens to disrupt that identity. The surfers are torn between their desire to showcase their skills on the global stage and their fear of losing what makes their community special.

Big Wata is a visually stunning film, with breathtaking shots of the ocean and the Ghanaian landscape. The cinematography is immersive, and viewers will feel as if they are right there on the beach with the surfers. The editing is likewise excellent, seamlessly weaving together action shots with interviews and scenes of daily life in Busua.

Overall, Big Wata is an inspiring and thought-provoking film that will appeal to anyone with an interest in surfing, culture, or the environment. The movie offers a glimpse into a world that is simultaneously foreign and familiar, and it challenges viewers to reflect on their own relationship with the natural world around them.

Big Wata is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.