Wes Anderson-style short film about rural Indonesia raises awareness about clean water
- Text by Shelley Jones
The recent hoo-ha around Band Aid 30 should have been enough to persuade anyone that the days of poverty porn (in the name of charity) are over. It’s patronising, no matter how good your intentions are.
Which is why this video ‘Sammy The Explorer’, created by Stefan Hunt for Hurley H2O and SurfAid Sumba, is such a refreshing departure from the usual tummy-turningingly earnest narrative.
The video shows a bunch of surfers (or ‘ocean people’ lol) representing the non-profit organisations, who have worked with local communities over the last three years to build wells providing access to clean and safe drinking water for over 7,000 people.
The relationship between the surfers and the local people is explored in a creative and tongue-in-cheek way and draws light to an interesting and worthwhile project without pulling too hard on the heart strings.
A humble success in the age of overblown Facebook challenge-led campaigns.
Find out more about Hurley H20 and SurfAid Sumba.
You might like
Ra’ed Khan and the tireless work of Road to Freedom
Hurriyah — Having been providing frontline aid and support to refugees for over a decade, a new book featuring poetry by Omar Mooro traces the story of the NGO. In this chapter extract, founder and music executive Ra’ed Khan explains its origins.
Written by: Isaac Muk
‘Baking Street’: Activists rename Tube stations in heatwave protest
‘Heatwave, sponsored by Shell’ — The protest comes as the UK recorded the hottest day in June ever recorded at 36.7C.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Rab’s adventures on film at Love Trails Festival
Adventure Film Night — Taking place between July 2-6, Rab are screening six documentaries at the festival that explore the remarkable world of the adventure sport community.
Written by: Roxana Diba
Moshpits & kickflips at the Volcom Garden Experience 2026
Family affair — Last weekend, the skate, surf and snow culture brand hosted a free mini festival in its European backyard of Biarritz. We went along and chatted to legendary artist and surfer Ozzie Wright.
Written by: Isaac Muk
As the Cornwall & Devon coastline gentrifies, what’s left at UK surfing’s spiritual home?
Priced out — Once belonging to anyone willing to be cold and thrown around underwater, the sport is becoming increasingly inaccessible, as second homes and commodification reshape England’s southwestern shores.
Written by: Noah Petersons
An intimate window into New York’s ’70s lesbian scene
We Others — An exhibition at The Photographer’s Gallery combines Donna Gottschalk’s unearthed photographs of LGBTQ+ activists and friends, along with Hélène Gianneccini’s written histories.
Written by: Miss Rosen