ULTIMATE DOCS COMPETITION

ROW HARD NO EXCUSES

USA, 2007, 88 min.

Director: Luke Wolbach
Producer: Bill Wolbach & Luke Wolbach
Cinematography: Luke Wolbach, Tom Mailhot, John Zeigler
Editing: Traci Loth & Luke Wolbach
Music: B. Quincy griffin
Sound: Bill Wolbach & Luke Wolbach
Production Company: Lantern Films
Print Source:
Luke Wolbach
224 3rd Ave
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel.: 415 876 0111
e-mail: luke@lanternfilms.com
www.lanternfilms.com


Row Hard No Excuses

What kind of person competes in the Atlantic Rowing Challenge, a three thousand mile race across the Atlantic in a two-man rowboat? Certainly not those seeking easy money. It costs $19,000 to enter the race and $150,000 to build and equip the 23-foot racing craft, and the only prize is a trophy. Competitors must adhere to rigid rules: all the boats are constructed from the same marine plywood kit, teams cannot receive outside assistance and must carry their own supplies, and those that quit must burn their boat to keep shipping lanes clear. Filmmaker Luke Wolbach starts by following John Zeigler and Tom Mailhot, among the oldest competitors and the only American entrants in the "world's toughest rowing race," and places their story within the diverse context of other teams (men and women, young and old). On the surface, this is an inherently exciting sports adventure story, but it also provides an intimate portrait of John and Tom and a deeper exploration of their personal quest. A popular favorite at the recent Slamdance Film Festival, Row Hard No Excuses posits the race as a meditation on shattered expectations and the pursuit of happiness.

Luke Wolbach is an award-winning filmmaker and editor residing in San Francisco. His first film, Seeds of Tibet: Voices of Children in Exile, which he co-produced and co-directed, was a half hour documentary about the lives of young Tibetan refugees at a school in Northern India. It was broadcast by PBS affiliates throughout the country and was awarded an Earthwatch Award, a Cine Eagle Award and a documentary award at the Philadelphia International Film Festival. He has worked independently as an editor on projects that have broadcast on PBS, Bravo, and the National Geographic and Sundance channels.

Filmography:

Row Hard No Excuses (2007), documentary feature debut.

SATURDAY, MARCH 31 AT 7:00 PM./CHOIPIN THEATRE

SUNDAY, APRIL 1 AT 5:00 PM./BEVERLY ARTS CENTER

TUESDAY, APRIL 3 AT 8:00 PM./THE WILMETTE THEATRE