Speed spectacular
A compelling study of men, machines and the need for speed under the vast open skies of the American southwest.The four protagonists of this documentary are obsessed with motorcycles, and so is the camera, which lingers lovingly over their extraordinary bikes –in many ways the real stars of the film.Brothers Mark and Carl Bjorklund team up with Jason Omer and Bill Woods to pursue their obsession, which is to build bikes to race at the fabled Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah, where land speed records are fought over at annual competitions.Each man has his own bike entered, and his own individual quirks. Carl struggles with anxiety, Jason is the tech whiz, Mark is a calm workaholic and Bill’s cocky and sometimes a bit prickly. There’s a real sense that the group’s friendly competition is what pushes them all to be better. While sometimes disagreeing, the team is committed to working together and winning as many records as they can.Complications inevitably arise during the speed trials – bad weather, mechanical faults, personal struggles – but the men display a reassuring certainty throughout. No problem is too big for these guys, who spend every day of the year working towards their goals. The film’s focus is narrow, almost exclusively on the four protagonists, and we only see the men through the prism of their bikes.An intimate knowledge of motorsports or a fascination with vehicles is not required, because Out of Nothing digs into the universal: passion, dedication, competitiveness and co-operation.Directed and photographed by Chad DeRosa, ‘Out of Nothing’ has a very impressive and distinct visual style. The record attempts are beautifully shot.The film has comes to Byron Bay via the Idyllwild Festival Of Cinema where it picked up the Best Cinematography gong and the Southampton Film Festival where DeRosa was crowned Best Director. The filmmakers are also making the trip to Byron for the festival.Tickets for Out of Nothing go on sale Monday 23 February at bbff.com.au and festival venues. For all the festival news, subscribe or follow BBFF on Facebook.
