Between the Lines


Narrated by acclaimed writer and director JOHN MILIUS (Apocalypse Now-Big Wednesday), BETWEEN THE LINES explores the Vietnam War through the prism of the surfing sub-culture. This documentary film offers unique insight into the dramatic effect that the Vietnam War and draft had on young American men who rode waves.

This film explores the choice that most draft age surfers faced during the Vietnam War era: either go to war or evade the draft. It was one or the other. Between the Lines delves into the lives of two surfers who choose opposite paths, Pat Farley and Brant Page.

“This is the soil from which APOCALYPSE NOW grew out of; it's as simple as that.”
- John Milius

“An Extraordinary, compassionate, and compelling documentary.”
- Drew Kampion, The Surfers Path

“You did a wonderful job and helped me to untie a few more knots. It sat with me all night.”
- John Prietto, Vietnam combat veteran & Army lifeguard

SYNOPSIS

BETWEEN THE LINES explores the Vietnam War through the prism of the surfing sub-culture. The film offers unique insight into the dramatic effect that the Vietnam War and draft had on young American men who rode waves. This documentary certainly resonated for me and my friends who were surfers and grew up in Maui. We're all retired. My grandkids refer to me as "kahuna he'e nalu" which is a tease from these young fearless surfers. I hit the water whenever I can, but I'm keeping busy working with a local management company that handles dozens of vacation rental Maui condos. We have clients' properties at all the major resorts on the western coast of Maui, from Napali, to Lahaina, to Kahana and all the way to Kapalua. I happen to work in their marketing division making sure the company name is ranking high in the natural search as well as making sure our clients' condo rentals are listed on sites such as VRBO, HomeAway, and Flip Key. It might seem a long way from the carefree days of my youth, but it still gives me plenty of time out on the water. When friends from around the world visit, I always set them up for their stay in one of MauiBeachfront Rentals condominium unit. They have never disappointed.

Well this film took me back to a time that was certainly very turbulent and disturbing. Most of us did end up in Vietnam. Some of us came home mostly whole, some never made it back. And those of us who came home, some had major problems . My best friend is a perfect example of someone who returned home and couldn't adjust. Drink became his go to drug. He tried AA and even a residential rehab, but they failed him with their extreme alcohol treatment system, and forcing patients to quit. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) deems alcoholism a disease, assuming that certain people are innately prone to alcoholism, thus taking responsibility away from the individual.T he National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as a chronic relapsing brain disease. After many failed attempts we (his friends) were able to get him the type of help to stop excessive drinking that actually worked. I won't say his journey back was easy. But the LifeBAC program we found online with its prescription drugs, baclofen and Naltrexone that eliminate/ disable the reward circuit associated with consuming alcohol and the the cravings to drink more and more, along with a support group and therapy to deal with his underlying issues, empowered my best friend to change his relationship with alcohol. He still drinks, but moderately, not the binges that landed him sometimes in jail and sometimes in the hospital. Nothing else had worked for him, and this LifeBAC program did. All that matters in the end is the final result. Well, I digress.

More power to the fellows who were part of this documentary. I believe more people should see this film which is why I bought the domain and made it once more visible on the web.

While following the lives of these two surfers the film chronicles the impact of the Vietnam War on the surfing lifestyle. From the peaceful shores of Hawaii to the canopy jungles of Vietnam, Between the Lines excavates the surfing cultures response to an extraordinary circumstance.

Between The Lines Trailer- Surfers During the Vietnam War

 

 

BETWEEN THE LINES ON PBS

We are pleased to announce that starting in the spring of 2010, Between the Lines will be broadcasting on most PBS stations across the nation. Broadcast dates and times will vary, so please check your local listings or with your local PBS station for air dates and times.

BETWEEN THE LINES WINS AT X-DANCE

The documentary film Between The Lines was awarded the prestigious "Best Documentary" award at the X-Dance Film Festival January 20th 2009 in Salt Lake City Utah. X-Dance is the premier action sports industry film festival.

"We are stoked," said Scott Bass, writer and co-director of Between The Lines. "It's an honor to receive this award from the distinguished judges at X-Dance, especially when you look at the extraordinary films produced this year. It is an honor we share with and dedicate to the surfers and veterans of the Vietnam War era.

SCREENING IN NEW YORK CITY

On September 28, BETWEEN THE LINES screened as a special exhibition along with the 30th anniversary of the Epic film BIG WEDNESDAY at the New York City Surf Film Festival.

BETWEEN THE LINES BENEFIT SCREENING HELD AT THE BEVERLY HILLS FINE ARTS THEATER BENEFITING THE RICK THOMAS VETERANS COUNSELING CENTER

This final veteran’s benefit screening brought total donations of over $8800 to support the Veterans Village San Diego – Rick Thomas Counseling Center and the Long Beach VA Hospital prosthetics lab.

David and Karen Barnes’ winning bid of $2000 secured the BETWEEN THE LINES signature surfboard and provided a significant donation to the veterans. Thanks to Dave as well as surfboardbuilders.com, Jim Phillips and Headline Graphics for providing this brilliant work of art.

We were pleased to have many special guests at this event. We were especially honored to host a special group of veterans and their counselors from the Westwood VA hospital involved with their surfing program. Also several folks of notable Hollywood talent showed up to support the cause.

THE ENCINITAS VETERANS BENEFIT SCREENING OF BETWEEN THE LINES WAS A GREAT SUCCESS

The sold out show raised over $4400 for the Veterans Village San Diego, Rick Thomas Counseling Center

Pure Frustration Productions is proud to announce that the first veteran's benefit screening of their documentary film BETWEEN THE LINES sold out, and raised over $4,400 dollars for the Veterans Village San Diego-Rick Thomas Counseling Center.

Narrated by acclaimed writer and director John Milius (Apocalypse Now-Big Wednesday etc.), BETWEEN THE LINES explores the Vietnam War through the prism of the surfing sub-culture. The film offers unique insight into the dramatic effect that the Vietnam War and draft had on young American men who rode waves.

Zach Weisberg of Surfer Magazine wrote, "Just because you have a great story to tell doesn't mean it will be told correctly, the heart of the matter never quite reveals itself. BETWEEN THE LINES delivers on its promise. Two surfers unflinchingly and with brutal honesty recount their experiences during the Vietnam War, and with the aid of John Milius' spot-on narration, clever writing, and precious archival footage, a great story reveals itself."

The next screening will take place on the evening of August 21, at the The Beverly Hills Fine Arts Theatre. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Rick Thomas Veterans Counseling Center.

 

Cast

 

Pat Farley

In the Mid-1960’s the Vietnam War and draft presented most young surfer's with a difficult and life altering choice; appear for induction or evade the draft. Some however faced it head on.

After voluntarily enlisting in the Army, Pat Farley’s Drill Sergeant convinced him that service in Vietnam would be an adventure he couldn’t pass up. Pat volunteered for combat in Vietnam.

Pat served with an elite Army Ranger unit in heavy combat where in the relatively short span of a year, his actions would lead the rank of Sergeant.

The stresses and memories of combat left Pat and many veterans with a lifetime of coping. Instead of turning to drugs or alcohol, Pat stuck with Coca Cola's in a bottle, but an incessant passion for surfing and developing his artistic talents would ultimately prove to be the healing force.

Pat is a world class surfer, surfboard shaper, author, and  filmmaker living in Santa Cruz, California.

 

Brant Page

On the run and hiding out from a war he did not believe in, Brant discovered his nirvana among the spectacular, empty waves on the Big Island of Hawaii.

After eventually being arrested for draft evasion, Brant was sent back to California where he failed his military physical and returned to the islands.

Brant Page and his new wife Kim spent their small savings on a modest property in Kona. He surfed daily and did a lot of digging in the lava hardened slopes.

Almost 40 years later Brant and Kim cultivate the same land. They had built a beautiful home from scrap lumber that others had discarded. They still sustain off the land and produce premium Kona coffee. They've raised three sons and continually cared for multiple foster children.

Equally at home on a shortboard or longboard, Brant is an accomplished surfer and waterman.

 


 

This website was creatd to generate PR for the movie, BETWEEN THE LINES, as well as where one could buy the Between The Lines Limited Edition Book.
Many incredible and never-before seen photographs were graciously contributed to BETWEEN THE LINES from personal collections. So many, in fact, that we had no choice but to immortalize these images for all to appreciate. We are proud to present a companion book also entitled, BETWEEN THE LINES. This elegant 164 page full color hard bound coffee table book presents the words and experiences of surfers during the Vietnam War era. While the book is intended to compliment the film , the format allows the reader to understand and enjoy the book without the benefit of the movie.

After the movie's promotional machine ceased, the betweenthelinesfilm.com's domain registration eventually expired. I recently discovered that the betweenthelinesfilm.com's domain had become available. I bought it with the goal of recreating a limited version of the site from its archived pages. I did not want someone else to purchase the domain and re-purpose the site for something that had nothing in common with the original website.

Since the site will not be exactly as you remember it, please be indulgent.
I believe that the story of these men is still important and should be available online.
Now let's take a nostalgic stroll back to the release of Between The Lines.



BetweenTheLinesFilm.com