The Art of Hanging Five

Born and raised in Southern California, Chris Cutri has always been drawn to both surfing and the arts. Formally trained with a penchant for Italian films and garage sale thrusters, Chris brings his passion passion to life in “Hanging Five”, following the lives of five artists all connected through the Sea. “Hanging Five” has its East Coast Premiere at the New York Surf Film Festival on Sunday, September 27th at at 6:00PM.

What inspired you to make a film about the connection of art and surf culture?
I’ve been very interested in the peripheral aspects of the surf culture. Over the last few years I’ve noticed how the notion of making art, doing shows, etc has become increasingly part of the culture. I personally enjoy the art and like making it myself-so it was a combination of those things that attracted me to the project. I also wanted to try to discover why the culture is so connected to the arts. The film also tries to answer that question.

Your surf sequences are beautifully filmed. Did you grow up surfing in Southern California? How did you get into film and particularly surf film?
I did grow up surfing in Southern California. Like many kids, I started off body boarding and when I turned fourteen started getting into surfing. I bought my first board at a garage sale for $25. It was a McCoy thruster. When I was in college, I took an introductory film course. I was really attracted to the notion of being able to do something artistic and at the same time proclaim a message or idea that could possibly be a benefit to others. It was a combination of both of those things that got me interested in film. I minored in film at BYU as an undergrad and then went to grad school at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, CA where I received an MFA in directing. My first surf film “Riding The Wave” is all about the commercialization of the surf culture. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m much more interested in the peripheral aspects of the culture versus just the act of surfing.

What were some of your early influences?
I’m really into foreign films. I like a lot of Italian cinema. Any type of film where everything is not completely spelled out for you. Films that make you think and where you have to be an active participant. I hope that at some level my surf films are intellectually stimulating. That may be a little presumptuous, but that’s what I’m hoping to achieve.

How did you select the cast?
As I was following this art movement, these were the people whose work I really enjoyed. Their approaches all vary as do their personalities. They all represent a different corner of this movement and they all happen to be talented surfers.

How long did it take for you to make the film?
The production took about a year and a half. Since I don’t live in Southern California anymore, there was a lot of traveling involved. It was pretty much my director of photography and I. There’s definitely some benefits that come with a small crew. We spent 2-3 days with each artist.Sometimes at their studio or at a show. I didn’t know any of the artists beforehand, so it takes time to develop the relationship. Once that’s established though, the filming takes a life of its own and becomes more effective. It was a lot of fun hanging out with these artists, getting to know them, and seeing the process of how they create. There were two good friends of mine who helped me edit the film. I also did quite a bit of editing myself.

Any memorable moments?
Every visit was memorable, but the moments that really stood out where when the artist would talk about something very insightful in relation to their art and their life. Andy Davis and I talked a lot about being a father and husband and an artist and the challenges that come with that. Family comes first, but to provide for your family you need to be able to provide with your art and to be able to create your art you need to be alone and get into the flow-so it’s a real interesting paradox that of the father/husband artist. That problem never goes away. You just got to learn how to adjust and deal with it properly. It’s one of my favorite parts of the film.

What’s on the horizon?
I’ve been thinking a lot about my next project. I’m not interested in doing surf films just to do them. I really have to be super passionate about the subject matter. I have a few ideas floating around, but nothing solidified yet.

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All photos courtesy of Chris Cutri/Hanging Five unless otherwise noted.