Somewhere Near Tapachula

Jonno Durant and Stefan Hunt (the duo behind Surfing 50 States, which won the Student Award last year at Mountainfilm) are back with another surfing film. This year’s effort is decidedly different than their madcap 2009 romp across the U.S. Somewhere Near Tapachula is about Mission Mexico—an orphanage set up by an Australian couple, Pam and Alan Scuse, who have helped nearly 200 kids in Mexico find their way out of gangs, drug addiction and a variety of other Dickensian nightmares. One activity that has made a difference is surfing. After a volunteer left a surfboard behind in 2004, the sport has taken hold, and various surf companies and pro surfers offer gear and guidance so that these disadvantaged youth can take advantage of the fine swells outside their back door. —DH