In a world of perpetual chaos, conflict, progression, regression, violence, happiness, love, beauty, and the contemporary sensations that accompany living, there are emblematic paradigms that expand with appeal and contract with detachment. Some find themselves stuck in a paradigm they wish to escape from, some stumble into a paradigm fortuitously, and some choose a paradigm because of its allure, sucking them in like a magnet until they reach the epicenter and all that surrounds them spirals together and flows in distinct harmony. Life is full of choices, and the creators of The Bubble are proud to share a choice of their own and a glimpse into their creation to come.
The word vortex, a noun, is defined as “a mass of whirling fluid or air, especially a whirlpool or whirlwind”. A vortex is boundless by nature. It’s quiet at its core, but its extremity rages, sucking one in until they reach the focal point: the eye of the storm and the heart of the whirlpool. Welcome to the editor’s second filmmaking masterpiece, Vortex, proudly presented by Tom Bridge, Xander Raith and Noè Font.
For the past year, the three have traveled the globe in an effort to bring their vision to life and showcase kiteboarding as they see it through a full-length film, Vortex. Since the release of The Bubble nearly a decade ago, there has yet to be a kite film that rivals or even follows in the footsteps of the film’s prestigious wake. In an effort to capitalize on the lack thereof, Tom, Xander and Noè set out to create a film that not only showcases some of the best riding but also the truth of the modern era in which we all live and connect.
Tom: “I feel really lucky to have been able to do this; who knows if we will get the opportunity again. I’m super proud of what we have achieved and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life. It’s a funny feeling knowing that I’ve done tricks for this video that I might not ever do again, so I’m really glad that they got caught on camera. And I hope this video can inspire people to get out there and film, and hopefully we will see more proper kiting videos in the future.”
Xander: “So much of my childhood was inspired and shaped by snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding movies. In my eyes, they are really the heart and soul of most board-sport industries and an introspective view into the person’s life. When I was young, I had always dreamed of one day being involved in a significant movie myself, so having the opportunity to manifest this vision is truly a lifelong accomplishment, and I know a younger Xander would be smiling right now. Vortex is just the beginning, but it will forever be a huge milestone for me.”
Noè: “Driven by progression and creative freedom, we set off to make a kiteboarding film. There is nothing more exciting in my eyes than celebrating the sport on the big screen and sharing it with the community in the form of a full-length film – a platform to create something f*cking cool that’s memorable, significant, and full of character. Films are something we lack in our industry, and we want to see more of them. Through Vortex, we are hoping to inspire others to challenge themselves and create beautiful things.”
The crux of the film is to showcase the best kiteboarding the three are capable of while simultaneously intertwining their identities and the group dynamic that made the entire process so special. Kiteboarding aside, the film makes reference to the modern epoch, commonly referred to as the “present”, and its correlation to the name Vortex. Although this might seem a bit abstract, the ideology behind Vortex is to exploit the juxtaposition between social media and its innate isolation. Digital devices were designed to help the world connect, but more often than not, these blue-screen portals expose the irony of socially connecting through utter seclusion.
Tom, Xander, and Noe: “Our modern world has both its faults and brilliance, and it is society’s role to accept what cannot be changed and influence what can be altered. It is our divine privilege to share Vortex. Every detail of the film is intentional, and the locations, riding style, cinematography, soundtrack, the crew itself, and the collective process are an opus that is meant to stand out from the rest. Welcome to our vision. Enter our paradigm.”
