For years there has been growing talk of the wave-rich coastline of Liberia, the West African nation that was subject to long and bloody civil wars that finally ended in 2003. The rise of surfing in postwar Liberia was brilliantly documented in the film Water Get No Enemy by French filmmaker and professional surfer, Arthur Bourbon.
Now, Bourbon is back with another film, We The Surfers, an award-winning 51-minute documentary, that captures the story of young surfers redefining their future in a country still fresh from the trauma of decades of conflict.
After a solid showing on the international film festival run, the film is now streaming on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and Google Play.
What started as a one-time trip to witness and document the emerging West African surf scene evolved into a deep connection with a place many surfers have never even heard of, let alone visited.
As in other places where conflict and hardship ruled the land for many years, the act of surfing has become far more than just sport–it’s a rare bright spot where people can find sanctuary, freedom, and healing.
Set in the small fishing village of Robertsport, We The Surfers follows up on Bourbon’s earlier work and provides an intimate look at how the community has continued to evolve and rewrite the future of the youth, many of whom are children of former child soldiers. Although the generational trauma is still very real, the joy made possible by the simple act of surfing is having a profound impact.
” They have almost nothing, yet their love for surfing is immense and pure. Whether it’s on a wooden plank or a broken old board, there’s no excuse to stay on the shore! It’s amazing to see how surfing uplifts the community and how the surf club creates real opportunities.
