Movie Review: '180 Degrees South'

June 15, 2010, 11:54 am

Jeff Johnson lives a life that many would envy. He’s given up things like a permanent address, family, and material wealth, choosing the “dirtbag” existence that allows him to travel on a whim and seek adventure where he can. Inspired by old film footage, Johnson embarks blindly on a new adventure, saying “If I don’t get on that boat, I know exactly what I am going home to — if I do [get on the boat], my future is unwritten.”

That’s a jumping off point for “180 Degrees South”, a new movie from Woodshed Films. It is directed by Chris Malloy, a former professional surfer, and it follows a particularly epic adventure of Johnson’s.

Johnson, along with a few friends that join him, attempts to follow the course of a 1968 journey that a couple of his heroes made. Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins left from California, driving south through Mexico, to Chile’s Patagonia region, surfing as they went. Once there, just as the 1968 travelers did, Johnson will attempt a summit in what is now the park Conservacion Patagonica. Specifically, he will climb the peak Cerro Corcovado.

Along the way, Johnson catches boat rides, surfs, mingles with locals and attempts to learn about the struggles of the area. His journey takes him through some amazing places. For weeks, he’s stranded on Rapa Nui, better known as Easter Island. While there he meets a beautiful local, Makohe, who joins him on the journey.

“180 degrees South” is not really a surf film, or a climbing film, or even an environmental film, yet it functions as all of these somehow. In a melancholy, yet beautiful and thoughtful way, the film tells a story of true exploration and adventure. True to the experience, the film is a little slow moving, with very little action. However, there is plenty of adventure — broken boats, unexpected layovers, and joyful discoveries mixed with heartbreaking realities. There is a refreshing lack of exaggeration to the film. A few short sections of animated overlay help you imagine what the narrator is thinking.

Jeff Johnson and Keith Malloy paddle in Patagonia

The movie also deals with something that I see as becoming more and more important. The wild places that we enjoy and utilize need to be protected. Currently, the Chilean government is planning to use Patagonia as a resource for power — with plans to build half a dozen hydroelectric dams. At best, it will be a temporary fix with no concern for sustaining the natural resource and way of life. Unlike a lot of environmental films, the message here is presented in a very reflective, non-shaming way.

And the name, “180 degrees South”? Near the end of the film, it is implied that part of the way to undo our current, destructive path is to “turn around and make a forward step.” If Patagonia is “like being in Wyoming or Montana 100 years ago,” as the film states, what can be done to see that it stays that way?

Part of the answer seems to be buying huge tracts of land and fencing it off from development, as Doug Tompkins has done there. Though I think the filmmaker expects the message to be something along the lines of “consume less.” Either way, a slice of the responsibility falls on we adventurers since we are among those who may value wild places the most.

The crew in the shadow of Cerro Corcovado

If embellished action and fast-paced music make up your kind of outdoor film, then skip this one—it was made by a bunch of chill characters. If you like a good story with a message of responsible eco-tourism, beautiful footage, and a great, mellow soundtrack, then I think you’ll enjoy this film. Be warned, though. After watching this film, you may find yourself packing for “destination unknown” and heading to sea on a boat of your own.

—T.C. Worley

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Commenting on post : Movie Review: '180 Degrees South'

Posted by Bren - 06/16/2010 11:56 AM

I enjoyed the movie, too. I missed our local showing, but it’s available for streaming on Netflix.

Posted by scott - 08/15/2010 12:59 AM

The imagery is spectacular, but the effort is utterly vain. There is no story, no achievement, no risk, no purpose. The main character will not garner any respect from the communities he exploits to complete the non-event which is his journey. It is awkward to watch the only seasoned climber in his crew (save of course the old goat) lambaste him for his ignorance; and then watch the team back-track from a sludgepile of a peak they shouldn’t have been climbing that late in the season. At one point, the main character inserts himself into the narrative of the Patagonian gaucho, on his way to “ride on the capital.” This is a 5-star photographic masterpiece stretched over the purest narcissism you will see on color film. I recommend highly for the visuals, if you can stand watching a confused surfer masturbate in front of your eyes for 80+ minutes.

Posted by Dyell007 - 11/03/2010 02:37 AM

I think that the only masturbating going on was obviously with you and yourself, while you were pretending to watch this amazing film. Thus explaining how you missed the ‘message’ and instead feel it necessary to insert your ego.
I understand though. You’ve probably made a few films yourself. Or climbed a few El Capitans, crossed a few time zones and oceans in the name of adventure. Or are you just an over critical, egotistical, masterbating, wanna be? Sounds like we all know the answer to that question. I personally am beyond impressed with not only Yvon’s amazing work in Patagonia and the people that he inspires but also with his ability to climb and adventure as if it were still 1968. He will never be an “old goat” He will always be an inspiration in more ways than one can count.

Posted by RossRevo - 12/02/2010 05:34 AM

I agree totally with Dyell007. The message is very deep and inspiring. I loved the fact that he could not complete his adventure. Once again, its the journey not the desitnation. Scott it seems as though you watched a whole different movie, possibly you were masturbating too much and missed the story altogether? Dont confuse 180 degrees with one of your weired pornos that you appear to watch all to often !!

Posted by Colin - 01/12/2011 04:29 PM

While the ideas of conservation this movie propagates are admirable, it doesn’t offers tangible solutions. Its 80 min. of ego stoking. For example, it rails on the building of new hydroelectric power, yet offers no other alternative solution, such as nuclear power or solar (if its even possible to power an entire city on solar energy at this point). I find it hard to listen to a man extol the virtues of a “simple” life when he has built a business worth millions of dollars.

Posted by survivor - 01/17/2011 05:22 PM

Scott:
I’m having a VERY hard time not making a VERY negative comment to your input here. Aside from your analysis of the actual film itself, do you not relate to the deeper concerns which are INCREDIBLY EVIDENT here?

Do you perhaps not have the information/intellect to realize that this planet will be un-inhabitable in less than 40 years? If not you better get educated.

I believethat this is the underlying message- we don’t need to go “Back to the Future,” we need to go back to the past- (yeah I know you don’t want to hear that), e.g., a more kind, basic lifestyle. Give up your capitalistic crap and your judgmental attitude- please?- and try to realize how manipulated and money addicted you are before it’s too late, which it almost is.
OK- now make a cynical reply- that’s apropos nes pas?

Posted by survivor - 01/17/2011 05:31 PM

Some of you must be younger maybe? I’m not so probably will be ridiculed by you- go ahead kuz I do not care, and only want to wake people up as soon as possible. Cynicism will NOT help our world and it makes you an ass.

PLEASE DO SOMETHING GOOD for OUR world and then be humble and shut the XXXX UP PLEASE

Posted by KB - 01/23/2011 06:56 AM

A Beautiful promo film for Patagonia clothing with a sweet soundtrack. Too many wardrobe changes, hard to believe so much ice melted in a couple weeks, why are the millionaires so grumpy? Have they considered lowering the retail, or increasing their facory wages. A any contributions to the urban needs where so many of the North Face & Patagonia customers live?