FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                February 27, 2017

Contact:        Gena Buhler                                                                             Craig Boleman

       970-920-5790                                                                                            972-717-5181

       [email protected]                                                             [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL OCEAN FILM TOUR TO PRESENT AN ARRAY OF OCEAN LIFE, SPORTS AND CONSERVATION DOCS AT THE WHEELER

Aspen, CO (February 27, 2017) The Wheeler Opera House will host the International Ocean Film Tour on Friday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. The screenings include short documentaries highlighting an array of subjects, including ocean conservation, water sports and sea adventures. Tickets are $15 (Wheeler Wins pricing available) and will go on sale Friday, March 3, at the Wheeler Opera House Box Office (970.920.5770/ aspenshowtix.com). The Wheeler Opera House is located at 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, CO.

The purpose of the International Ocean Film Tour is to wrap the most powerful stories, inspiring protagonists and stunning visuals into a 120-minute film program documenting the wide spectrum of the ocean experience.

ABOUT THE FILMS

The Weekend Sailor: Seventeen yachts, seven nations, and 27,000 miles at sea: 1973 marks the year a sailing trip around the world turned into a race. But when the first Whitbread Round The World Yacht Race sets off from Portsmouth, England, it’s not only the Empire’s most renowned sailing teams on the start line. There’s a dark horse in the competition: Ramón Carlín, aptly named the Weekend Sailor, decides to take part and he’s got company: With a motley crew of friends and family and next to no sailing experience, the 50-year-old Mexican embarks on a voyage to remember. Shunned by the press at first, Carlín turns into the unlikely hot contender of the race. The Weekend Sailor tells the legendary story of a man the sailing world wasn’t ready for. 

Shorebreak: The Clark Little Story: First he was a surfer, then he became a photographer. Hawaiian Clark Little has managed to turn his passion for the ocean into a career. Chasing shorebreaks is his bread and butter and capturing the perfect wave is his vocation. His ability to frame the power of the water in a single shot makes his photos a love letter to the ocean.

Attractive Distractions: Raw energy and soulful communion with the sea are at the core of this cinematic surf journey. Ten of the most progressive surfers in the world travel to beautiful destinations across the globe to push the sport to new heights.

The Legacy: It has taken only 50 years to destroy dozens of healthy and thriving marine ecosystems due to overfishing and pollution. Lots of species have vanished from their natural habitat. Almost twenty years ago the pacific manta ray was forced to leave his home in the Gulf of California but it has found a new one in a Mexican archipelago - after it was declared a protected area. This short film shows how endangered species can recover - if we give them a chance. 

A Plastic Ocean: It is no longer a secret that plastic waste is posing a threat to our oceans. The problem is not only the visible pollution: dirty beaches for example. Microplastics - tiny little pieces of plastic - almost invisible, are even more dangerous. It floats in our oceans and gathers in gigantic garbage patches. And from there it finds its way into the food chain. Adventurer and filmmaker Craig Leeson has tracked down plastic waste to get to the bottom of the problem. He connects our consumer behavior with ocean pollution and asks the crucial question: What must we do to save our oceans? 

Johanna Under the Ice: After a serious mountain bike accident, Finnish freediver Johanna Nordblad discovers her love for cold water and the crystal clear silence under the ice. We follow her in this constricting yet liberating world…

Chapter One: Kiteboarding has become more and more popular in recent years. Seems like a good time to take a look back to the beginnings when Windsurfing Champion Robby Naish and Big Wave legend Pete Cabrinha were among the first ones to try the new board sport. By now Kiteboarding has also got its original heroes: Keahi de Aboitiz, Youri Zoon, Bruna Kayija and many more. In Chapter One we follow them to the worlds best Kiteboarding spots on the planet.

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ABOUT WHEELER OPERA HOUSE: 

Since 1889, the Wheeler Opera House has been Aspen’s community performance venue and has become the Roaring Fork Valley’s premiere site for concerts, movies, festivals, lectures, community events, opera, and more. In recent years, the Wheeler has been a leader in producing exceptional festivals in Aspen, celebrating the comedy arts, global issues, and the craft of songwriting.