Movie Description
The upbeat maritime documentary MORNING LIGHT is the brainchild of writer-director Mark Monroe and ocean-racing enthusiast Roy E. Disney. Under the watchful guidance of the former Disney exec, 15 young adults were given the chance of a lifetime to compete against the world's best sailors in a 2,500-mile open-ocean race from California to Hawaii (known as the TRANSPAC). The story follows their six months of intensive training, team selection, and a play-by-play of the race itself. Packed with fast-paced action and vibrant cinematography, the film is a stunning visual treat punched up by adventurous camera angles and gorgeous panoramic shots. While the setup of 15 participants hedges closely to reality-TV-style back-story format, MORNING LIGHT admirably avoids the pitfalls associated with that genre's focus on mean-spirited competition and backstabbing. Instead, the presentation is genuine and sincere, if at times a bit too earnest. But the film seems intent to win on its own terms: no artificially heightened sense of drama needed. Most remarkable is the unshakable camaraderie that's formed by these 15 high-spirited young men and women. As they perservere through great emotional and physical obstacles to overcome the treacherous high seas, their story offers an inspirational tale of sacrifice, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
| Credits | | Producer: | Morgan Sackett |
Editorial Reviews
"The documentary is enjoyable....These are an exceptional group of young people and, for the most part, their oceangoing adventure makes for involving viewing."
USA Today - Claudia Puig (10/17/2008)
"In MORNING LIGHT, a sweepingly beautiful documentary unmoored by democratic intentions, 15 amateur sailors prepare to cross more than 2,000 miles of Pacific Ocean in the race known as the Transpac."
New York Times - Jeannette Catsoulis (10/17/2008)
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