9 reasons why you should see Attractive Distractions

There’s a new film dropping on the surfing world soon and it is called Attractive Distractions. Albee Layer, along with Matt Meola and Dan Norkunas, have created something that is so perfectly them: An absolute, game-changing banger that has had little to no commercial support, but contains some of the best surfing you have literally ever seen. We’re so kinky for it, in fact, that we had Damien Fahrenfort swim through his hazy memories from the film’s LA premiere and pluck nine things that left an impression on him, listed below in no particular order…

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John John Florence does one of the best backside airs you’ve ever seen. Maybe the best.

No, this isn’t John John Florence doing a backside air – well spotted! But, it is an excuse to run Chippa Wilson doing a backside air. You’ll have to buy the movie to see John’s deal.

This is a pretty radical call, especially since John John Florence and Filipe Toledo have changed the backside air game, but this air of John’s is worthy of this call. If you were to see a paused frame of the air’s craziest point (which you won’t til you buy), it looks impossible that he stomped, but yes, he did (with ease). Front foot as far forward on the nose as possible, tweaked and into the flats. Just another day on set for young John boy.

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Matt Meola is the best aerialist in the world.

Mr Meola Hippie Flips – yeah, he invented this trick.

When you see AD you will agree and while this is a tough argument that we could spend hours debating, let’s try to break it down in the best way possible. Matt has a bigger repertoire or variation of airs than anybody else, period. Between the variation of airs he does like straight airs, roters, shiftys, and every accompanying grab, there is just no one that can match him. Sure, guys go higher sometimes, but no one is more technical. John John mentioned to me recently how much he loves surfing with Matt, saying: “He just throws himself into the biggest and most crazy sections and then he’ll somehow make it. It get’s me really amped to push harder.” A few sloppy landings need to be overlooked for degree of difficulty but on the whole this man is just… beyond.

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Kai Barger’s still got it.

Barger is back, baby!

Ever wonder what happened to the 2010 World Junior Champ? I do all the time, and although he’s had a few great moments since then, he’s never quite given us the showing we expected. Not to worry though, it all comes together in this film for him and I was reminded quickly of how fucking good Kai really is. With one of the silkiest backside styles since Bobby Martinez you wouldn’t expect his air game to be so on point as well. But, he does a backside rote on one of the bigger waves and sections you’ve probably ever seen. Did I mention he has a dig at massive jaws?

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Attractive Distractions has the best Jaws section you’ve seen yet.

Albee toys with the Jaws inside bowl like it’s nobody’s biz.

Raw and powerful with waves and angles no one has seen yet. This, the last section of the film, will have you feeling like you’re in the lineup. My heart was in my throat the entire section and although I was slightly buzzed while watching it, it will leave you feeling like a scared little girl but at the same time wanting to go and charge. Albee surfs the bowl at Jaws like it’s a fun reef pass in Indo. The bravado of these gents is incredible and it’s a true testament to their athleticism.

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It should be movie of the year at Surfer Poll, but probably won’t be.

Attractive Distractions won’t receive the accolades, exposure, attention it deserves. And it really does deserve.

Unfortunately this seems like a political contest so they probably won’t win, but I really wish everyone would get behind them and vote for this film. It deserves attention and credit. Besides John John Florence, they teamed up with surfers that aren’t as popular in the public eye and these gents stick it to the best in the world. Everyone raises their game in each section and this makes the film insane.

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The soundtrack is really, really good.

Is there any better time to craft a soundtrack than road tripping?

The boys got some great music cleared and every section in the film is complimented by music that really suits it. It’s well thought out and has that 90s surf film appeal in the way it get’s you really pumped to surf. Again, you’ll have to buy the movie for the feels we’re describing here.

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Clay Marzo surfs Greenbush like Simpo surfs HB, and Chippa’s a great tube rider.

Can’t nobody touch Clay at the Bush.

In the recent hit Strange Rumblings in Shangri La, my fav section featured Damien Hobgood giving everyone a free lesson in forehand tuberiding at Greenbush. This is not the case anymore. Clay Marzo gives everyone that’s ever surfed Greenbush a free lesson. He stays in the tube longer, drives hard through sections and gets deeper than anyone else who’s surfed out there. It really is mind-blowing that this individual remains unsponsored. Chippa needs some credit here too, and like Ozzie Wright once did Chippa proves to everyone here that he’s not just an “air guy”, but also has some serious skill in the tube.

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It’s got a story line.

Honey in Ho’okipa.

These gents are tough and manly men. If they’re not charging huge slabs or 100 foot Jaws, then they’re spear fishing, bow hunting or charging down mountains on bikes. But between sections features narration by Albee about a wonderful-looking Hawaiian girl. It’s as if they’ve done it to drop your heart rate down and balance out the madness that unfolds in every chapter of this film. Although it seems strange at first, you quite enjoy the journey it takes you on.

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Albee and Matt spent over $70k of their own money on Attractive Distractions.

Packing problems, Portugal.

The boys put all their own tin up to produce the film and until recently, neither had a major sponsor. Hats-off to them for believing in themselves and going and getting it done. Although anything under $100k for a film is a pretty small budget production but nothing in the film looks like it was done on the cheap and the cameras used are nothing but the best. Multiple angles of waves, too. So when it comes out on iTunes, put five bucks aside and buy the film – you won’t regret it, we promise.

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Attractive Distractions drops on iTunes November 10.