Inside Sunset

Inside Sunset "A documentary surf film of epic proportions"
Tracks Magazine

Tim "Jungle" Russell and narrator Marcus Hale take an insightful look beneath the frothy surface of surfing.

Although the film references and reaches its climax at the famed Hawaiian right hander, Inside Sunset is more a metaphor for a frame of mind than anything else. The journey begins with an exploration of the eclectic characters, places and events that make the surfing world go round on the south east coast of Australia. The second half of the film follows the same theme but has Hawaii as the focus.

Interviews and footage of some of surfing's more infrequently seen legends are a major feature throughout the movie.

Inside Sunset - Surfing Documentary © 2007 Jungle Tim Russell

Making of the documentary

Making of the Documentary

In June 1995 I wrote to Carlos Santana to use some of his music, for a possible future film. I was living at Sunset Beach, Hawaii at the time.
Most people never write back, and when I received a reply from Jorge Santana (Carlos' brother), dated 16th June 1995, I was absolutely ecstatic.

Even though I could not afford to use Santana's music, this one letter was the whole inspiration to the making of Inside Sunset documentary, and possibly one day a future feature film.

At the time I had a very successful business in Hawaii, selling high quality sarongs in the Aloha Stadium Marketplace. I was in the process of applying for a US green card.

The US "I.N.S" eventually caught up with me. The "I.N.S" told the Jackson's, who worked for me, they had more complaints about me than any Asian mobster. I was deported the same year as receiving Santana's letter. My goal in business was to crush all opposition. I hated competition.

Jean Van Dyke (Fred Van Dykes brother), also worked for me in the Flea market. He was an extremely funny man. We used to laugh ourselves silly at the stories we'd hear.

When I was deported, my many friends such as Jean lippy Hoffman, Owl Chapman, Peter Cole, Sum Knox and half the north shore surf scene, were gossiping about the deportation for a long time after. I'd made some great friends. I had surfed between Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach for 5 years straight. I was actually happy to return home to Sydney and live with my wonderful parents.

After being deported, I landed in Sydney with nothing. I attended taxi school in Paddington,, got the licence and started casual driving. David Jarvis, who previously worked with EMI attended the course with me. David was knowledgeable with media courses and advised me to join Metro Screen in Paddington. At the time I was living in my Holden Panel Van behind Bondi beach pavilion, not far from Paddington and the heart of the city of Sydney.
I tried to return to Hawaii over the next 3 years. The US Consulate in Sydney were finally favourable to me in 1998. When I saw the 3CCCD Panasonic NVDXIEN digital video camera review in a video buyers guide, I just had to have one. The design was brilliant. The camera was the first of its kind. Joe Marino from Paxton's Camera Store was helpful with advice. I bought a Manfrotto tripod with my cousin Cristopher Sim's advice. Chris Sim later came up with the brilliant Gymea Bay Sydney to Waimea Bay Hawaii documentary theme. Many consider him to be a somewhat genius.

I smuggled the video camera through Australian Customs with the help of a beautiful Japanese girl, Naomi Kitasea. As far as I know, I was one of the first people to own a "triple chip" digital video camera. This was in August 1997. There were no digital video cameras for sale in Australia at the time.

My mothers brother Roy Taunton, had a heart attack outside Cronulla "RSL" CLUB in Sydney. I loved Roy and was extremely depressed. He left me some money, so I bought this 3CCCD Panasonic NVDXIEN digital video camera, Manfrotto tripod, accessories and a Holden panel van with Roy's money. Without Roy's passing away the documentary would not have happened. Roy had previously visited me in Margaret River and Hawaii. He loved Sunset Beach.

I Moved into a bed sitter in 28 Sutherland Street, Paddington, Sydney, to be close to the taxi base and Metro Screen, where I milked them for advice. I started travelling up and down the coast "filming" the surf action. When the U.S. Consulate gave me a B1/B2 visas in January 1998, with, "filming a documentary" on the visa, I thanked almighty God over a few beers. The visa was granted at exactly the same time the swells started to pound Hawaii for months on end. I was indeed grateful, lucky and blessed. The timing was perfect.

Inside Sunset DVD from Cronulla or Gymea Bay to Hawaii Waimea Bay

Designer: Riley Balsa Wood Surfboards