Surfing

A Transcendent Tool for Social Criticism in Otelo Burning and Apocalypse Now

Abstract

This essay, composed for the first-year writing seminar “Literature into Film,” discusses the portrayals of surfing in Sara Blecher’s film Otelo Burning and Francis Ford Coppola’s film Apocalypse Now, a loose adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness. Both films are set during very different political climates, with the former occurring during Apartheid and the latter during the Vietnam War, and provide opposing perspectives towards surfing through their photographic presentations. However, both directors effectively utilize it to highlight disparities and the detrimental effects of male hubris to facilitate their overarching social criticisms.

For additional context, listen to the author's reflection on the piece below.