Tuesday, April 28, 1998
Pro surfers make for real art
FILM: ‘In God’s hands’ rejects actors in favor of accuracy in
stimulating aquatic lifestyle
By Sumyi Khoung
Daily Bruin Contributor
Clad in dark blue Levis, a stylish, fuzzy-collared black vinyl
jacket and minus the surfboard, Mathew Liu’s decidedly unbeach-like
appearance is a sharp contrast to his on-screen look.
He takes a seat in the TriStar Sony Backlot garden to discuss
the surf flick, "In God’s Hands," his first major feature film.
Throughout the movie, which opened last Friday, Liu and the rest
of the cast are mostly bare ab-ed and sporting little more than
board shorts and golden tans. But this newest release is much more
than just a splashy, teen babefest.
The movie features spectacular surfing footage while chronicling
the travels of three thrill-seeking water adventurers as they
battle fierce locals, sickness, their own personal limits and, of
course, nature, all while surfing their way through exotic tropical
locales.
What puts this movie on a different wavelength from other
Hollywood attempts to detail the surfing arena – like "Point Break"
– is that the leads are played by professional surfers.
Protagonist Shane is played by Shane Dorian, currently ranked
second in the surfing world. Former pro surfer and the director of
ESPN’s "Surfer Magazine" series, Matt George, is the older – if not
wiser – Mickey. And five-time Hawaiian Surfing Champion Liu rounds
out the trio as the youthful and excitable rookie, Keoni.
So while Keanu Reeves can shed his wetsuit to catch a ticking
bus, the surfing stars of "In God’s Hands" are so comfortable in
their natural element that their wetsuits serve as a second skin.
Their deep connection with surfing brings out an additional layer
of authenticity to their roles.
Would the film’s dynamics have changed by using Hollywood
actors? Liu emphatically replies, "Oh yeah, you’d notice little
things like the way they paddle their surfboards, the way they sit
on it. You’d even hear it in their voices, because surfers who live
amongst other surfers – there’s a certain sound about them that you
can hear. I think that it would come across the screen if they had
real actors to do this, you’d see it."
Besides elevating the sense of reality through the casting, "In
God’s Hands" also tries to depict a more accurate surfer lifestyle,
including scenes revealing the surfers’ dedication to the harsh
training and observation of extreme safety precautions.
"We’re not stoners. We’re not bank robbers," Liu says in
reference to "Point Break." "We’re just three human beings hunting
good surf. I think our movie is set apart from other surfer movies
because it’s closer to how surfers really live."
Liu’s own surfing lifestyle started when he was nine years old.
To combat his hyperactiveness, his fourth grade teacher recommended
that he take surfing lessons at the local surf center. The Hawaiian
native immediately took to surfing like sex-wax to a surfboard and
has stuck with it ever since. As a result of his enthusiasm and
focus, Liu found early success.
He began entering – and winning – competitions at the state
level the very same year he started surfing. Liu picked up five
Hawaiian titles before turning pro at eighteen.
Liu’s passion for the sport is evident whenever surfing trickles
into the conversation.
"Surfing gives you such a rush. It’s definitely the funnest
thing in the world, I think. You’re a kid forever if you surf,"
explains Liu as he enthusiastically swings his legs against his
seat.
His natural charisma translates well to film. On screen, Liu
emits a highly energetic performance which is contrasted against
Dorian’s more reserved character. The three leads compliment each
other well both on- and off-screen. Liu and Dorian have been
friends since they were two years old, and it was Liu who was
instrumental in attaching both Dorian and George to the project.
Liu suggested producer Zalman King ("9 1/2 Weeks" and "Wild
Orchid") contact George to help co-write the script and also
recommended Dorian for the lead role.
While Dorian is back to the pro surf circuit, Liu is currently
residing in Los Angeles and concentrating on his acting career. His
previous work included the short-lived "Birds of Paradise" on ABC.
He has another pilot with NBC for next season. Liu describes the
pilot, "Wind On Water," with Bo Derek, as "kinda
Dallas-meets-Baywatch." Past that, Liu is pretty open to see what
rides along his way but wants to expand to more serious, dramatic
roles.
"I don’t what to be stereotyped as The Surfer, but I’m lucky I
don’t look like a surfer so hopefully that won’t be a problem," Liu
says. Even so, with his smooth, tan complexion sprinkled with
sun-freckles on his cheeks, and short, spiky, right-off-the-beach
wet hair, Liu makes for a credible – if not stereotypical – looking
surfer.
For a guy that can effortlessly walk on water (with the help of
a surfboard), Liu appears pretty grounded. His idea of the perfect
day includes "getting a phone call from my mom" as well as a good
morning surf.
"Surfing is the realest thing for myself that I could ever do.
It’s simple and pure," Liu says.
His method for getting out of a dangerous surfing situation can
also be expanded to his approach to life.
"I push hard and try not to make any mistakes. If I find myself
in a place where I have no control, I just hold my breath and hope
for the best, and so be it, it’s literally in God’s hands." Liu
says. Then his brown eyes crinkle as he laughs, "A sense of not
being in control is kind of fun too."
FILM:"In God’s Hands" is currently in theaters.
TriStar Pictures
(Left to right) Mathew Liu, Shane Dorian and Matt George prepare
to hit the waves at Canguu Beach in "In God’s Hands."