Press release:
Award-winning filmmaker, Rocky Romano, announces “Learning to Breathe” will be released worldwide via iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play on May 27th, 2014. The multi-award winning documentary has been critically acclaimed as one of the most important films in the history of surfing. The film received a multitude of awards including; BEST FILM at the 2014 Surf Film Festival MUNICH, Viewers Choice “BEST FILM” 2014 Surf Film Festival HAMBURG, BEST DOCUMENTARY at the 2013 LONDON Surf Film Festival, BEST STORYLINE at the 2013 SMASH FEST in NYC, as well as the HEART & SOUL Award at the 2013 Mill Valley Surf Film Festival.
Summary:
”Learning To Breathe” explores the troubled evolution of professional surfing legend Anthony Ruffo. Ruffo’s legendary surfing ability and charismatic personality made him a role model in the Santa Cruz surfing community, and when he fell into spiraling addiction and criminality, he took a portion of the surfing world with him. Facing a failing reputation and 5-years in state prison, Ruffo must finally understand the impact he has made on his community. He strives to repair his broken life, but there are no guarantees that the court will sympathize with Ruffo’s efforts.
“I would like to thank all the people that were part of making this film, the athletes that had the courage to break the code of silence, Anthony Ruffo for trusting me to tell this story and having the guts to tell the truth, and my incredible team that helped turned this film into a reality.” – Rocky Romano, Director.
“Rocky’s perseverance in following Ruffo and telling this story has lead us down an incredible path. It wasn’t always an easy journey, but in the end, it has turned out to be an incredibly positive one. The praise that the film has received and the lives it has touched have definitely given us a sense of pride and validation.” – Miranda Winters, Lead Editor
“We are honored to present an uncompromising film like “Learning to Breathe”, specifically because of its unflinching look the dark side of the drug problem in surfing and action sports,” stated Producer Robert Martin.
“Hopefully, “Learning to Breathe” will continue to spark a much needed conversation about helping people in the surf community who have drug problems, and hopefully Ruffo’s willingness to be honest and open about the trials and tribulations he has experienced will serve as a lesson to the next generation of professional surfers that even if you run into problems, you can pull yourself back from the brink and change your life for the better.
Anthony’s surfing past, methamphetamine addiction, criminality, and eventual recovery are displayed candidly in “Learning to Breathe”. Those surrounding Anthony, including some of the world’s best surfers, discuss Anthony’s rise to fame and spiral into darkness. For the first time, athletes including Anthony Ruffo, Pete “The Condor” Mel, Darryl “Flea” Virostko Ken “Skin Dog” Collins, and Christian Fletcher, break the code of silence in the surfing industry and open up about their own addiction issues, discussing the problem of drug use in the professional surfing community.
Reviews:
“Learning to Breathe” is the most important surf film of 2013 PERIOD.” – Pierce Michael Kavanagh, President of The San Diego Surf Film Festival
“In light of the passing of world champion Andy Irons and the Ruffo documentary, mainstream media like HBO and the New York Times picked up on the issue of drugs in surfing, and while the ASP won’t admit that any one particular incident had an effect on their policy making, in 2012 they a enacted a drug testing policy at all world tour events. Finally the issue of drugs, and in particular hard drugs like meth, is being talked about and people are taking it more seriously.” -Jake Howard, ESPN USA
“The documentary portrays a sad and complex reality that goes beyond the surf community. You come out of this dark sea and feel still wet to the bones.” – Edinho Leite, ESPN Brazil
“Learning to Breathe is a must see film for both surf enthusiasts and a much wider audience.” – Tyler Breuer, Director of SMASH FEST NYC
“Excellent. I want as many people as possible to see it. It’s not just a Santa Cruz story. It’s a story about surfing (and humans in general) that can happen anywhere. One of the best surf related documentaries I’ve ever seen.” – Dave Mailman, Former President Association of Surfing Professionals Europe
“Learning to Breathe is a courageous film. Anthony Ruffo bares his soul to the camera in a way you rarely, if ever, see in a surf movie. His story is brutally honest and revealing.” – Ari Luri, President of The Mill Valley Surf Film Festival
For more information on the film and to watch the trailer, go https://www.learningtobreathefilm.com.
