The fallout decades later provides the drama in this documentary by Doug Pray, who lets his eccentric octogenarian subject off a little too easy.
Overview
The inspiring and tumultuous story of 85-year old surfer, health advocate and sex guru, Dr. Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, his wife Juliette, and their nine children who were all home-schooled and raised in a small camper on the beach, where they surfed and had to adhere to the strict diet and lifestyle of animals in the wild.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
A provocative documentary about a man who dropped out to follow a dream that gradually evolved into something not unlike a nightmare.
Not just the story of one man's obsessive quest to find harmony on a plank of wood, Surfwise offers a cautionary tale about parenting, homeschooling (camper-schooling, actually), sibling rivalries and family sacrifice.
The film's director, Doug Pray, has been able to track down each and every Paskowitz child, and he weaves their memories together with old home movies, still photos and news clippings to create an evocative portrait of their lives.
A riveting documentary that focuses more on weird family dynamics than big waves.
More films
Splinter (2008)
Crime · Horror · Science Fiction · Thriller · R
When their plans for a nature trip go awry, Polly and boyfriend Seth decide to check into a motel. On their way, they're carjacked and kidnapped by low-rent crooks Dennis and Lacey, who take the victims and their SUV to a nearby gas station. Along the way, they encounter an increasingly terrifying horde of parasites, and if any of them...
- Runtime
- 1h 22m
- Director
- Toby Wilkins
- Cast
- Jill Wagner, Charles Baker, Rachel Kerbs
The Grudge 3 (2009)
Horror · Mystery · Thriller · R
Jake Kimble, the sole survivor of the Chicago massacre, is killed while in solitary confinement. His doctor begins investigating the claims he made about a long-haired woman in white, as a mysterious Japanese woman arrives at his old apartment building to help them get rid of the curse.
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
- Director
- Toby Wilkins
- Cast
- Johanna Braddy, Emi Ikehata, Jadie-Rose Hobson

Comments
Talk about the film with other members