Draft:Albert Falzon

Albert "Albe" Falzon OAM

Albert "Albe" Falzon OAM is an Australian filmmaker, photographer and publisher in the surfing subculture.

Albert Falzon, for more than 50 years, has presented Surfing in Australia and internationally as a "lifestyle" that embodies ecological themes and harmonious relationships between human beings living in spiritual harmony with nature, and respects and appreciates its beauty and power. Although Albert has had no formal qualifications in photography and media, he has had direct input in creating over 39 films and documentaries.

He was the co-founder and publisher of the surfing newspaper "Tracks" [4], along with David Elfick [5] and John Witzig [6], which began in October 1970. He and David Elfick filmed and directed the iconic Australian surf film "Morning of the Earth". The documentary had a huge cultural impact that blossomed surf-tourism worldwide, especially in Indonesia. It was acclaimed as perhaps the most excellent surfing film ever made and one of the finest of its genre.

Early life

Albert was born in the inner-city suburb of Redfern, Sydney. he lived with his parents, grandparents and extended family in a housing tenement in Cleveland Street. His first experience of the ocean was with his grandfather, who took him to the Clovelly Baths when he was eight years of age. Albert immediately became enthralled with the ocean. A few years later, he became interested in photography, and in his early teens, he carried his "box brownie" camera with him everywhere, displaying a natural flair and innate ability in photography. The family moved from Redfern to Maroubra in Sydney, then to the Central Coast of New South Wales, where Albert's mother bought him his first balsa wood surfboard at the age of 15, which sparked his lifelong passion for surfing. Early in Albert's working life, he worked in the photographic department of a Sydney retail store, and he began sending still photographs of surfers from his local area on the NSW Central Coast to Bob Evans. Bob was the publisher of the magazine, "Surfing World", which he founded and first published in September 1962.

Bob and Albert developed a working relationship, and in 1966, Albert was invited to join "Surfing World" as a photographer and graphic artist. Soon after, Albert began to accompany Evans, who, in addition to publishing "Surfing World" , also produced surf films, on trips along Australia's east coast and beyond (including South Africa and Hawaii), during which he filmed surf footage. The two learnt the craft of filmmaking together through firsthand experience, neither having had any prior experience or training. In 1969, he was sent by Bob on his first overseas assignment alone to Hawaii, accompanied by his friend David "Baddy" Treloar , where he captured footage of massive winter swells. Not long after returning from Hawaii, Albert went on to join forces with David Elfick and John Witzig (brother of Paul Witzig) to co-found and produce "Tracks" Magazine [ibid, 4] in October 1970. It was Australia's first surfing broadsheet newspaper, and still exists today (in magazine format), celebrating its 50th consecutive year in circulation in 2020.

Filmmaking

On February 25, 1972, Albert and David Elfick released the movie "Morning of the Earth" [ibid, 7] [ibid, 8] [ibid, 9] [ibid, 10]. Albert produced and photographed the entire film, and David Elfick directed it. The movie was funded on a "shoestring budget" (approximately AUD 40,000). It is recognised worldwide as a seminal work of the surf film genre and one of the greatest surf movies ever made. Many aspects of the film's production and promotion were innovative. It was the first surfing documentary presented without narration and without titles to identify the surfers or locations. "Morning of the Earth" had no major distributor, so Falzon and Elfick had to self-fund and "four-walled" the film's presentations, taking it all over Australia, hiring local halls and venues to screen it. "Morning of the Earth" was a significant success, earning over AUD 200,000 on its first release (equivalent to approx. AUD 1.2 million today).

In doing this, Falzon and Elfick followed the lead of Albert's mentor, Bob Evans, who pioneered the "four-walling" of foreign and local surf films with Paul Witzig and established a small but commercially viable circuit. "Four-Walling" was an important precedent for future local filmmakers. It proved that even a relatively low-budget work like "Morning of the Earth" could enjoy significant financial success without having a recognised distributor, and showed that there was a viable local audience for such films. Other filmmakers, such as the Leyland Brothers and Albie Mangels, went on to use the strategy with great success. The movie premiered on February 25, 1972, at the Silver Screen Theatre in Manly, New South Wales. Due to the film's unprecedented popularity and with only one print, Albert and David were quickly forced to print more copies and travel nationally for screening.

As a testament to the relevance and cultural impact of "Morning of the Earth", at its 40th and 50th Anniversaries , in 2012 and again in 2022, the movie and soundtrack were digitally remastered and marketed worldwide. Additionally, an Australian national screening of the film took place in various outdoor settings, featuring live score performances with original musicians and contemporary artists. The events were conducted to sell-out venues with broad appeal to all ages and generations.

On December 5 1973, the Australian Surf Documentary "Crystal Voyager" was released nationally at the Sydney Opera House. Albert was the cinematographer, and David Elfick directed the movie, further raising the bar for surf movies worldwide. The film was digitally remastered at the NFSA in May 2019 as part of its restoration program.

He has since made many successful films and documentaries, over 39 of which seven (7) have been archived in the National Film and Sound Archive [ibid, 2] and three (3) catalogued at Screen Australia. [ibid, 3]

Which include;

"Festivals of the Far East", 1986, Screen Australia. [ibid, 3]

This six-part documentary series, filmed in the exotic locations of the Maldives, the jungles of Sri Lanka, the deserts of Central India, and the Buddhist temples of Ladakh, explores the excitement, mystery, and beauty of the exotic East, as well as the spiritual lives of the people who inhabit these regions. Festivals covered include "Before the Jungle Gods", "Jewel in the Himalayas", "The Kumbha Mela", "Colours of Rajasthan", and "The Wesak Festival."

"Festivals of the World", 1988, Screen Australia. [ibid, 3]

A 12-part documentary series focusing on traditional festivals in far-eastern countries, including Sri Lanka, India, Burma (Myanmar), Ladakh, and Tibet. The series has sold to over eighty countries worldwide. The significance of filming in some of these regions is only evident today with the political closure of Tibet and Myanmar to travellers and the civil strife in Sri Lanka and Kashmir.

"The Road to Timbuktu", 1988, Screen Australia. [ibid, 3]

Timbuktu! A name which epitomises the end of the earth. A group of adventurous Australians undertakes a long and difficult trans-Saharan journey from Tangier to Timbuktu, documenting the events, cultures, and traditions they encounter along the way.

"Spirit of Akasha" 2013.

Albert was involved in the writing and Screenplay of the film, which was a follow-up to "Morning of the Earth" and directed by Andrew Kidman. It was an attempt to represent and "recapture the values and spirit that was in Morning of the Earth, but this time also featured women surfing" It debuted at the Sydney Opera House on January 25 2014.

An exhibition was held at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, from August 14, 2014, to October 19, 2014, and was entitled "Acadia: Sound of the sea". Which featured Albert's film footage, John Witzig's still photographs, and ink drawings by Nicholas Harding.

Photography and publishing

Albert also produced a pictorial book featuring his surfing pictures, illustrating the beauty of the ocean and surfing, and capturing the spirit of surfers in their natural environment. "One ocean once covered the world - it was the morning of the earth" (2003) NLA Bib ID: 2447773

Albert Falzon is currently working on several other books of his photographs. "Essence", a pictorial of flowers and exotic images from his world travels, "Surf Art", a portfolio featuring the work of ten world-renowned surf photographers, and "Journey to the Wesak Valley", a diary of his travels to the sacred Wesak Valley near Mount Kailash in Western Tibet.

The Australian Centre for Photography showcased "Morning of the Earth" and "Crystal Voyager", along with still photographs by Falzon, as part of its "Magicians of the Sea" exhibition in early 2006. Additionally, "Morning of the Earth" was screened as part of a Screensound presentation.

In Bali, Albert filmed fourteen-year-old Stephen Cooney from Narrabeen, Australia, alongside former U.S. Surfing Champion Rusty Miller from Southern California, as the first recorded surfers to ride the waves at Uluwatu on the very southern tip of Bali in 1971. "Morning of the Earth" brought attention to the island, attracting surfers and tourists worldwide, and ultimately led Bali to become a prominent international tourist hotspot. The movie was also the first-ever Australian feature film to receive a gold record status for album sales, with the soundtrack charting in May 1972. In November 2017, it was listed in the book "110 Best Australian Albums" (revised). Both Albert and David were able to attract funding from the Australian Film Development Corporation (AFDC), which provided the funds (in the form of a $20,000 loan) for the production of "Morning of the Earth", which would later be the catalyst for increased federal and state funding for Australian movie-making. [abid.1]

Several submissions to the Tariff Board inquiry into Films and Television – 1972 pointed to the difficulties in self-distribution and exhibition. In his submission to the inquiry, Paul Witzig [ibid, 15], who, by 1972, had produced and distributed five surfing features, argued that he'd experienced greater problems marketing his films in Australia than in the U.S., Europe, and South Africa. Witzig commented on the difficulty of obtaining licensed halls for exhibition venues, the prohibitive financial arrangements associated with this practice, and the cost of the venue, which sometimes amounts to half the exhibition earnings.

In collaboration with David Elfick, Albert co-produced another highly influential surf film titled "Crystal Voyager". [ibid, 20] [ibid, 21] [ibid, 22] The movie premiered at the Sydney Opera House on December 5, 1973, and proved at the time to be one of the most financially successful Australian surf films ever. "Crystal Voyager" gained international acclaim primarily due to its strong reception at the Cannes Film Festival and its record-breaking six-month run at London's West End, grossing over £100,000.

He volunteered with the wildlife rescue organisation WIRES (New South Wales Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.) . The service has been rescuing and caring for wildlife for over 30 years and is Australia's largest wildlife rescue organisation. Albert has since made his 24-hectare property at Eungai Creek, N.S.W., available as a "release centre" and native wildlife sanctuary.

Albert's initial motivation and ambition were a desire to create a beautiful film about surfing and the ocean, and always appreciated the power of music in his films and a focus on movie making, not so much based on financial considerations, and viewed success as doing those things rather than the rewards that would come afterwards. He has committed himself for over fifty years to displaying the people of the world and the planet in all its beauty and promoting a sense of peace and harmony.

Recognition and Awards

Albert was inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame in 2011 and is the 33^rd recipient of this prestigious award . Additionally, the honour of having one of his photographic images (Nat Young, circa 1968) placed on permanent display at the National Portrait Gallery was bestowed in 2018.

In the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours Awards (Australia) announced on 11 June 2023, Albert was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) by the Australian Governor General, David Hurley, for service to surfing and to the visual arts. 

A summation of Albert Falzon's documentaries

Movies archived in the National Film and Sound Archive;

1.   Morning of the Earth. [ibid 2] (NFSA) This movie was selected for preservation in the National Film & Sound Archive's Kodak/Atlab Collection. It is regarded as culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.

Title Number: 4478

Production Date: 1972

Release Date: February 25 1972

Produced as: Feature Film

Media: Film

Summary: A documentary surfing film showing the fantasy lifestyle of surfers who live in Bali, Hawaii, and Australia. Using a rock music score, surfers include Nat Young, Michael Peterson, Chris Brock, Stephen Cooney, David Treloar, Mark Warren, Jerry Lopez, and Terry Fitzgerald.

Country of Origin: Australia

Credits

Director: Albert Falzon

Music Director: G. Wayne Thomas

Producer: David Elfick

2.   Crystal Voyager. [ibid, 2] [ibid 19] (NFSA) & (Screen Australia) This movie was selected for preservation in the National Film & Sound Archive's Kodak/Atlab Collection. It is regarded as culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.

Title Number: 107

Production Date: 1973

Release Date: December 5 1973

Produced as: Documentary, Feature Film

Media: Film

Summary: Surf documentary about American surfer-cameraman George Greenough. His voice-overs explain his surfing philosophy, accompanied by original music from Mick Liber, Python Lee Jackson, and Pink Floyd. Crystal Voyager was one of Australia's most successful surf movies.

Country of Origin: Australia

Credits

Cast: Ritchie West, Nat Young, George Greenough

Cinematographer/Director of Photography: Greg Weaver, George Greenough, Albert Falzon

Director: Albert Falzon

Producer: David Elfick

Production Company: Tracks Motion Picture

3. Surfabout '74. [ibid, 2] (NFSA)

Title Number: 554619

Alternative Title: [Radio 2SM. Surfabout 1974]

Production Date: c. 1974

Release Date: 1974

Produced as: Documentary: Special (is a one-off program for TV or radio}

Categories: Awards: Sport

Media: Film

Summary: The Film covers the 1974 "Surfabout" contest held in Sydney. N.S.W.

Place: Location: Sydney, N.S.W.

Country of Origin: Australia

Language: English

Credits

Director: Albert Falzon

Editor (Film): David Stewart

Photographer: Albert Falzon

Production company: Albert Falzon Production

Recording engineer/Sound recordist: David Stewart

Sponsor: Coca-Cola Bottlers (Sydney) 2SM (Radio Station: Sydney, N.S.W.)

4.   Can't step twice on the same piece of water. [Ibid, 2] [ibid, 40] (NFSA) & [ibid, 3] (Screen Australia)

Title Number: 772855

Release Date: 1992

Produced as: Documentary

Media: Film

Summary: Surfing documentary

Country of Origin: Australia

Language: English

Credits

Director: Albert Falzon

Performer: Aswad, Stereo MC's

5.    Metaphysical. [ibid, 2] (NFSA)

Title Number: 772649

Release Date: 1996

Produced as: Documentary

Media: Film

Summary: Documentary featuring professional surfers at the 1996 Quicksilver Pro in G-Land, East Java. Indonesia.

Country of Origin: U.S.A.

Language: English

Credits

Director: Albert Falzon

Executive producer: Bruce Raymond

Producer: Albert Falzon

6.    Quicksilver Country. [ibid, 2] (NFSA)

Title Number: 772696

Release Date: 1997

Produced as: Documentary

Media: Film

Summary: Documentary featuring surfers Kelly Slater, Tom Carroll, Tim Curran, Matt Hoy and Lisa Anderson.

Duration: 00:42:00

Country of Origin: U.S.A.

Language: English

Credits

Cinematographer/Director of Photography: Don King, Jeff Hornbaker

Performer: Angelique Kidjo, Endorphin, Skunkhour

Producer: Albert Falzon

7.    Globus – The meaning of light. [ibid, 2] (NFSA)

Title Number: 583805

Release Date: 2002

Produced as: Feature Film; Music

Categories: Experimental; Popular music

Media: Film

Summary: This documentary is not so much a movie as a way of seeing things, highlighting how all elements in our world seem interconnected.

A unique experience of sound and vision brought to the screen from some of the world's most beautiful and haunting places, Globus challenges the viewer to see the world free from storyline and narrative, and instead to see what's there, land and sky, and all things beautiful in between. What is the meaning of light? Look within.

Music by: Harold Budd, Earthian, El Hadra, Ashera, Afro Celt Sound System, amongst others.

Duration: 01:10:00

Country of Origin: Australia

Language: English

Credits

Producer: Albert Falzon, Jeff Hornbaker

Movies that are archived at Screen Australia.

1.   Festivals of the Far East. [ibid, 3] (Screen Australia)

Release Date: 1986

Produced as: Documentary

Summary: Filmed on location at some of the world's most exotic places. Including the Maldives' Islands, jungles of Sri Lanka, deserts of Central India and the Buddhist temples in Ladakh. Festivals of the Far East abound with the exotic East's excitement, mystery and beauty, exploring the people's spiritual lives. Festivals covered include Before the Jungle Gods, Jewel in the Himalayas, The Kumbha Mela, Colours of Rajasthan, and The Wesak Festival.

Duration: 6 x 00:52:00 documentaries

Credits

Director: Albert Falzon

Writer: Iain Finlay

Producer: Albert Falzon

2.   The Road to Timbuktu. [ibid, 3] (Screen Australia)

Release Date: 1988

Produced as: Documentary

Summary: Timbuktu! This name epitomises the end of the earth. A group of adventurous Australians make the long and challenging trans-Saharan journey from Tangier to Timbuktu, covering events, cultures, and traditions.

Duration: 00:52:00

Credits

Director: Albert Falzon

Writer: Iain Finlay

Producer: Iain Finlay

3.   Festivals of the World. [ibid, 3] (Screen Australia)

Release Date: 1988

Produced as: Documentary

Summary: Tumultuous rhythm and movement create a captivating parade of Samba dancers, flashing grass skirts, and wildly beaten drums. Each unique program transports the viewers into the colourful and vibrant festivals celebrated around the globe. There is magic about the myriads of festivals, Mardi Gras, and carnivals of the world. The abundant rejoicing and pageantry reflect the culture of each exotic location. 

Duration: 12 x 00:26:00

Credits

Producers: Albert Falzon, Mark Falzon

4.   The Kumbha Mela (Same as it ever was). [ibid, 3] [ibid, 40] Screen Australia

Summary: 20 million people from all walks of life gather together in India at a holy centre to pray and offer homage to their sacred God. This legendary festival is the most incredible living testimony of faith existing on the planet.

Release Date: 1982

Credits

Producer: Albert Falzon

Other works by Albert Falzon (Director of Photography), Random order;

1.    Before the Jungle Gods. – Sri Lanka [ibid, 3] Screen Australia

Summary: During the full moon of August, the Kataragama Festival takes place deep in the jungles of Sri Lanka. The most remarkable feature of this festival is the penchant of devotees for self-mortification, usually in repayment for vows undertaken by the pilgrims to their Kataragama God.

2.    Jewel in the Himalayas. – Ladakh [ibid, 3] [ibid, 40] Screen Australia

Summary: Experience the magic waterways of Kashmir as we journey to the mountains of the Himalayas and Tibet. Observe the llamas swirling in brightly coloured masks as they re-enact age-old rites.

3.    Colours of Rajasthan. – India [ibid, 3] [ibid, 40] Screen Australia

Summary: Through their festivals, songs, and dances, the Rajasthanis celebrate everything from the life-giving monsoon to the simplest travails of everyday life. The sleepy town of Pushkar, India, is transformed into a high centre of vibrant activity as the exotic festival atmosphere permeates the air.

4.    The Wesak Festival - Moon of the Buddha. c. The 1980s [ibid, 3] [ibid, 40] Screen Australia

Summary: The holiest days in the Buddhist calendar are those around the full moon in May. The Wesak Festival commemorates Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death. Time is spent in meditation, reading religious texts, and listening to monks recount the words of the Master. The Wesak Valley in Tibet attracts only those pilgrims "in the know" to a secret meditative sojourn with the Buddha. This legendary occasion has continued for thousands of years.

5.    Island Dreaming: The Heiva i Tahiti Fete. – Tahiti

Summary: Documents the ceremonies, folkloric competitions, and the music of Heiva i Tahiti, a six-week cultural festival held annually in Tahiti.

Release Date: c. 1980s

Credits

Director: Albert Falzon

6.    Festival of Light – The Loy Krathong Festival. - Thailand [ibid, 3]

Summary: On the twelfth lunar moon of the Thai calendar, there is an extraordinary festival, Loy Krathong. Which occurs on the full moon in November. Thai people celebrate the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the main rice harvest. Thai people thank the water goddess, Phra Mae Khongkha, for the abundance of water in the past year, and for apologising for the ensuing pollution. Tiny floating banana leaf boats were candles, incense, and prayers are placed in the waterways, ponds, and even swimming pools to float away evil spirits and wrong deeds. The ritual is a potpourri of ancient legend, Brahmin history, and Buddhist belief. The festival includes processions of elaborate floats through the streets, dancing, and music.

Release Date: c. 1994

7.    Journey to the Wesak Valley in Tibet. – Tibet [ibid 3]

Summary: Two thirty-minute programs on the Wesak Festival held annually in the Wesak Valley in the western region of Tibet.

The first program, The Film Journey, has no narrative and has beautiful backing music and sounds created by Carlos Angeles and Lucinda Dreaming. It has been as more "meditative and intuitive" approach to the Wesak Festival. In monochromatic tones, it is more "classical" and "old-worldly" in its film style.

The second program, The Photographic Journey, combines still and moving images narrated by Michael Clemo Breen. It tells a story of the legend with insightful commentary. Beautiful full-colour photos of the Tibetan landscape are inspiring and uplifting.

Release Date: 1985

Credits

Producers: Albert Falzon, Mark Falzon, David Thomas and Hock Khoe.

Editing: Albert Falzon and Fil Baker.

Music: Carlos Angeles and Lucinda Dreaming.

8. Spirit of Akasha. [ibid, 20] [ibid 21]

Summary: "Spirit of Akasha" is a film by Andrew Kidman that celebrates the 40th anniversary of Albert Falzon's surfing masterpiece "Morning of the Earth".

Spirit of Akasha premiered at Sydney Opera House as part of the Sydney Festival in January 2014 and was shown at many film festivals worldwide, including Barcelona, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Hawaii. The film screened at over 50 cinemas around Australia, was featured at The Melbourne Art Centre's Hamer Hall on November 7th 2014, and played through summer 2014/15 at outdoor cinemas and surf events.

Spirit of Akasha was produced and directed by renowned independent filmmaker, musician, and surfer Andrew Kidman (Litmus, Glass Love, Last Hope), with the backing and blessing of Albert Falzon. The film set out to reimagine Falzon's work in the context of surfing in the new millennium. It was filmed worldwide during 2012 and 2013 and featured world champion surfers like Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore and 'soul surfers' such as Fergal Smith, Kye and Joel Fitzgerald, and Sam Yoon as its main protagonists. Locations included the Australian Gold Coast, Hawaii, Tahiti, Ireland, Mexico, Fiji and Indonesia, among other beautiful and secret spots.

Release Date: January 2014

Credits

Film/Co-Producer: Albert Falzon

Also including the following "short" documentaries

9.   Highway One. – 1977 – Australia

10.  The Legend of Alaya. – Australia

11.  Trinidad Carnival. – West Indies

12.  Remembrance. - Turkey

13.  Behind the Mask. - Venice

14.  Women of Spirit. – A one-hour television program filmed in India, New York, and London

15.  FirstLight. – India

16.  Australian Artists' Vision. – Australia, Bali & New Guinea

17.  All of we is one. - Trinidad

18.  Master of the Mountains.

19.  The Great Invocation.

20.  Birds of a Feather Carnival Together. – Canary Islands

21.  Butterflies & Warriors. - Japan

22.  Land of Morning Calm. - Korea

23.  Fiesta Siesta – Mexico.

24.  From the Heart of Morocco''. - Morocco

25.  Song of the Rainbow. – New Guinea

26.  Inti Raymi: The Inca Sun God Festival. – South America

27.  Jamaica Go-Go. – Jamaica

28.  Cold Chisel – From the Heart. – Australia