Review: Heart of the Sea - The Rell Sunn Story
by Matt McClain
For many of us,
Rell Sunn personified both the grace of women's surfing and the aloha spirit of Hawaii.
Throughout the late 70's and early 80's, images of her tan and sinewy figure elegantly
poised on the nose of her board, filled the pages of surf magazines; stoking the hearts
of men everywhere and paving the way for generations of women yet to come. In their moving
documentary Heart of the Sea, Charlotte Lagarde and Lisa Denker offer us a glimpse beyond
the cherished view of Rell's surfing career and into the life and passing of one of our
sport's most beloved figures.
Rell herself narrates a large amount of the film, recounting her idyllic childhood growing
up a daughter of Hawaii and a subsequent move to Oklahoma (an image I still cannot conjure,
even after watching the movie). The film also draws upon a host of Hawaiian luminaries
and surfing icons, each recounting Rell's unique combination of strength, humor and love
and pride, and how it invariably touched the lives of those around her.
Still, the undeniable poignancy of this film lies within Rell's struggle and her eventual
succumbing to breast cancer. In her own words, Rell describes her initial shock and disbelief
at being first diagnosed in 1983. Watching the subsequent 14 year battle against the disease
is bittersweet. Rell's courage and strength is tremendously inspirational to us, the viewer,
while all the while knowing the eventual outcome. In this manner, the film succeeds in
offering a profoundly moving insight into not just Rell's life, but into the lives of
those battling terminal illnesses everywhere.
Rell's life might best be described as triumphant. As a surfer, diver and lifeguard she
excelled. Throughout her life she stayed true to her values; malama a hina and malama
o kekai - care for the land and sea. She gave back to her community through her work with
Hawaii's menehunes and the Surfrider Foundation. And while Rell left this world far too
soon, her legacy is joyously evident in the testimonies of her family, friends and peers
throughout Heart of the Sea.
Heart of the Sea will air nationwide on May 6, 2003 on PBS. Contact your local station
for times and listings.
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Surfrider Foundation's MAKING WAVES, February 2003
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