Warm water, endless greenery, and a simpler lifestyle has caused many Americans to visit and never return.
According to The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica, edition 15, there are about 20,000 American expats, many of whom are retired.
For the younger, like 36-year-old surfer/photographer Graham Swindell, Costa Rica's warm waves a
nd limited toothpaste choices have provided a refreshing contrast to the pace of life in the U.S.Originally from North Carolina, Graham started surfing at 15 and began taking photos seven years later. "I've yet to find another job as rewarding to me," he says. "It wasn't until I made the permanent move to Costa Rica that I decided to pursue it full time."
Graham's first full-length film combines footage of locals, expats, and everyday surfers living out what he appropriately calls "Finding Utopia."
Shot in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, you can check out the full 30-minute film here. We caught up with Graham to find out more about the movie and why he made it.
Finding Utopia the Movie from Nosara Shack on Vimeo.
Why did you decide to make this movie?I've always loved photography and surfing. I wanted to combine them both from a photographic perspective into a video and due to the digital revolution it just seemed like something I could accomplish while doing what I love to do -- taking photos
Why Costa Rica and Nicaragua? What's your attachment to this place besides the obvious -- warm water and waves?
I moved to Costa Rica four years ago in pursuit of a slower and simpler life. I got tired of having 100 choices of toothpaste. I wanted to rid myself of the mass consuming mindset and get more in touch with life. I met my beautiful wife and the rest was history.
Anyone living in Costa Rica is familiar with border runs and visa renewals in Nicaragua. I visit Nicaragua as often as I can. My wife is actually from there. Both Costa Rica and Nicaragua are full of some of the most beautiful and humble people in the world. The perfect waves and exotic backdrops are also an added plus for any videographer/photographer.
Who is in this movie? It looks like you combine local Americans, Ticos, and your wife?
This film was ego-free. It features surfing in the real. I had two rules: I wanted clean waves, which had to be surfed really well. I had tons of footage of crazy air grabs and explosive surfing but it just didn't fit the vibe I wanted, so I limited the "Wanna-be pro attitude," and replaced it with soul-surfing from both short and longboards. I used mostly locals I knew as well as my my photographer assistant, Alfredo Barquero, for the surfing. Most of the footage comes from days we would take turns with the camera. One would film while one surfed. I also threw some of my gringo friends into the mix to give it that diversity. We're all from the same Earth in my eyes, so there's no sense in segregating everything the way we humans like to.
What's been the response from the locals who live in the town you shot in?
Locals unexpectedly gathered the night of the premiere and threw one of the best fiestas I've been a part of while living in this area. I wasn't expecting anyone to show and to my surprise the place started filling up quickly minutes before it showed.
What about the music?
It's hard to get a reggae culture stoked on Folk and Indy music but when it was playing no one even seemed to notice. I spent months trying to find the right music for this film. It comes from independent artists all over the world. If the locals didn't like it at least they pretended to and took the time to watch it. I mean, seriously though, this is the middle of nowhere in Costa Rica and we get amped really easy on things. It goes to support my theory on appreciation. We've gotten so used to having so much we don't appreciate shit anymore. Solution: move to a small town in Costa Rica and I bet you will have a different outlook on life.
