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After Hours Film Society Presents
Surfilmusic
June 15
| 7:30 pm

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Link to trailer
Ticket Link
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CAST & CREW
Directed by Emmett Malloy
Featuring Jack Johnson, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado & Rob Machado
Running Time: 77 mins.
Not rated 
"A moving new documentary."
–Rolling Stone


"Jack Johnson is kind of having a moment…again."
–Paste Magazine


" Johnson created a film that doesn’t feel like non-fiction, but an inspiring story about a group of friends who pursued everything they dreamed up together.”
–The Daily Texan
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SURFILMUSIC
Reviewed by Bill Bodkin | The Pop Break
‘Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC’ is as Fascinating & Laid Back as The Singer Himself

The modern proverb, “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey,” perfectly captures the life and times of the modern-day renaissance man Jack Johnson.

The surfer, filmmaker, musician, philanthropist, husband, and father’s journey from the pipelines of Hawaii to the hearts and souls of millions of fans is documented to perfection in Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC.

The film, directed by Emmett Malloy – a longtime collaborator of Johnson’s—is an amalgam of old footage, 4-track cassette and mini-disc sound, interviews with Johnson’s inner circle (Malloy, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Kim Johnson), and moments alone with the man himself as he reflects on a life less ordinary.

The film, as the title indicates, is broken into three distinctive parts: surf, film, and music. Malloy’s gorgeously shot film examines how each of these aspects of Johnson’s life begets the other and still influences everything Johnson does. We watch how his days as a young surfer in Hawaii directly influenced his foray into filmmaking, and how his downtime during filming was the launchpad for his music.

The journey is fascinating because you see the hard work Johnson put into his ascent to superstardom. Still, SURFILMUSIC crafts his story as one of natural progression, and it’s echoed by Johnson’s friends. To them, it was obvious that Johnson would excel and succeed because his talent and creativity were so evident. However, when the film cuts to Johnson, his laidback humility almost deflects his own talent and puts the spotlight on the communities around him because, in his eyes, they led him to his current status. And this makes you admire Johnson even more. He’s infinitely talented, and instead of bathing in the adulation of the documentary, he turns the films into a celebration of those involved in his success.

This is evidenced by the dedication of the film’s act to the passing of one of Johnson’s closest friends, Tamayo Perry. This celebration of Johnson’s life is refocused into a final farewell, a cinematic eulogy of sorts to a man whom Johnson credits so much and obviously cared about deeply. That’s the type of thing that speaks to a man’s character and makes you just marvel at this man even further.

Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC is an absolute must-watch for fans who love gorgeously shot surf films, fascinating films on how films get made, and uniquely crafted music documentaries. Like Johnson himself, this film is a multi-faceted marvel that speaks to not only a man’s craft but also his soul.

DISCUSSION FOLLOWS EVERY FILM!
$7.00 Members | $11.00 Non-Members
TIVOLI THEATRE
5021 Highland Avenue  |  Downers Grove, IL
630-968-0219 |  classiccinemas.com
We apologize—Movie Pass cannot be used for AHFS programs
Trailer Link
Ticket Link
Screenings are held at:
Tivoli Theatre
5021 Highland Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
630.968.0219
​SPONSORS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS
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After Hours Film Society is sponsored in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council
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​CONTACT US:
After Hours Film Society | P.O. Box 5266
Wheaton, IL | 60189 |
 630.534.4528

[email protected]

​Copyright 2026, After Hours Film Society, Inc.
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