Lake Effects

“All the waves are brown,
And the sky is gray.
I’ve been in Lake Erie,
On a winter’s daaay.”

Apparently, the requirements for being a surfer in Ohio are a wet suit, a surf board, a pipeline to local meteorologists and a vehicle ready to race to Edgewater Park in hopes that the Lake Erie chop folds over into a string of very moderate waves.

As one of the erstwhile Lake Erie surfers opines early in the film, “It’s sort of silly, but it’s better than watching TV.”

This is a mantra for many of us.

There are better films showing at the festival. The theme is simple, local guys having fun doing something that bonds them together. The documentary consists of several zillion waves and several interviews with a friendly group of guys you may run into at Wal-Mart or a local pub (you will recognize them in their rubber suits, Lake Erie aroma and frozen hair). That’s about it: water, waves, bad weather, waiting, and words trying to explain why they willingly jump into cold soup. While unusual, it is doubtful you will feel compelled to join them.

Perhaps the real story lies in local filmmakers trying to earn their bones. You need to tip your hat to anyone with the guts to make a movie — any movie. Time, patience, money, dreams and elbow grease run out fast. So give credit to Scott Ditzenberger and his crew for jumping into some chilly water.

http://outofplacemovie.com/trailer/

Fri., March 19, 9:35 p.m.; Sun., March 21, - 9:20 a.m.; Mon., March 22, 5 p.m.