Documentary Film Will Screen in Portugal and Madeira Despite Threats From Government

Lost Jewel of the Atlantic,  a documentary film produced by conservation organization Save the Waves Coalition, will screen in Portugal and on the island of Madeira, despite threats of criminal prosecution from Madeira’s political leaders. 

The film focuses on the battle by local and foreign surfers to stop government-backed coastal construction from destroying many of Madeira’s prime surf spots, which were considered to be some of the best in the world. 
 
The film premiered in Santa Cruz, California, on May 8, 2006, prompting angry responses from members of Madeira’s ruling political party during the following days.  Manuel Santos Costas. spokesman for the Cabinet of President Alberto João Jardim, threatened to “criminally prosecute” those responsible for producing the film, and to “take adequate steps to defend the honor and good name of the region, its population, and its President.”
 
Despite the threats, Save the Waves’ Executive Director Will Henry decided to plan screenings of the film on the island.  “The film is about Madeira, and the people there have a right to see it and judge for themselves,” explained Henry.  “It’s a documentary film, and we tried to present all sides of the argument, including the government’s position that all of this coastal construction was justified.”
 
The film contends that construction projects such as seawalls and marinas have destroyed or severely damaged many of the islands best surfing breaks.  It also suggests that EU environmental laws were not followed strictly, and that the rights of water enthusiasts were completely ignored in order for more money to be poured into the massive concrete structures that now surround the island.
 
“The political climate in Madeira is not very democratic,” added Henry, whose past experience with negotiating with the island’s politicians did not always prove successful. 

“The same President and political party have been in power for nearly thirty years, and when they want something to happen, it happens.  The sad thing is that many of the island’s citizens are upset about the construction and see now what it has taken from the beauty of the island.  At the time, many of them were afraid to speak out.  Now it’s too late.”
 
During 2002 and 2003, Save the Waves Coalition organized numerous public protests against a seawall that was proposed for the small seaside village of Jardim do Mar, and were calling for the wall to be redesigned to be smaller and less invasive of the coast’s natural appeal.. 

The seawall’s design was so large that surfers feared damage to the surf break at Ponta Jardim, which is considered to be one of the most unique waves on the planet, once named in Surfer Magazine as “the best big wave point break in the world.”  The President of Madeira reacted strongly, saying that “the works are happening and are not going to stop because of the protests of some imbeciles who say that the seawall will ruin the waves.”
 
The seawall was completed in 2004, and the wave was badly damaged just as the surfers had predicted.  The huge concrete structure now covers the entire shoreline, which was once lava boulders, and even many of the villagers feel that the government betrayed them because their town was robbed of much of its natural beauty.  Nonetheless, the President of Madeira still claimed otherwise. 

“The waves came from the sea towards the shore. We have here a seawall twelve or fifteen meters wide to protect Jardim do Mar, but the waves continue to form in the sea. Instead of surfing fifteen meters out (further) in the sea, surf can be done with the same waves fifteen meters closer to shore.”
 
“Only a surfer would know about what happened to the wave’s quality,” countered Henry.  “What does Mr. Jardim know about surfing?  Nothing.  This was a crime against nature.  Not only was one of the best waves in the world badly damaged, the whole place has become a monument to concrete.”
 
The film will show in Ericeira on September 1 during the Buondi Billabong Pro surfing competition, and in Madeira at the Cinemax Theater in Funchal, September 15, 16, and 17.  For complete schedule and theater information, visit lostjewel.org

www.lostjewel.org
www.savethewaves.org