William Finnegan - Barbarian Days

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“Waves dance to an infinitely complex tune” - William Finnegan, Barbarian Days
Darius Devas’ short film ‘William Finnegan - Barbarian Days’ is a portrait of Pulitzer prize-winning author William Finnegan, narrated by Finnegan himself with excerpts from his memoir Barbarian Days. Featuring former US surf champion Rusty Miller.
This is the first time the film has been released online after appearing at film festivals. We hope you enjoy it!
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Directed & Filmed by Darius Devas
Score by Chris Bolton seagullmusic.b...
Sound Design & Mix by Brad Klenk
Special thanks to Alanda Young and Stu Nettle

[@nd4804]

Thank you for taking me into your life, a stranger looking over your shoulder. I was sad when your book ended, it was as if I'd lost time with a friend that was good for the soul.

[@dariusdevas4490]

well said :)

[@nd4804]

@@dariusdevas4490 Darius, thank YOU for this interview. William Finnegan seems open, available, relaxed as I came to know him within his story. You gave me an opportunity to complete my thoughts regarding the book. Sometimes it feels as if a period has been placed at the end of a sentence and yet the story isn't over....

[@George-jn7qm]

Thanks

[@ajj4483]

That was so eloquently put. I felt the same so I pick up the book quite often and just re-read a chapter or two.

[@George-jn7qm]

First wave I saw ridden age 24 Ocean City Maryland in 1966 was beautiful. Longboarder going left in shorebreak dug his tail and went right. I was mesmerized. I knew it would add a lot to me if I could ever master it. If I could stand and ride a board on a wave, I would be satisfied. Many years later after moving to Hawaii in 1975. I have priceless memories that I share with my sons. I only wanted to ride a wave for the enjoyment and never did it to impress people or for their approval. Became much better than I ever dreamed of as a young man on the East Coast. Don't ever let anyone judge you surfing. It is private and only for you.

[@BeingHere]

well said George.

[@George-jn7qm]

@@BeingHere Some experiences bind us all!

[@George-jn7qm]

Surfing channels communicate with my two sons almost better than anything. Ver close feelings are sometimes hard to share but talk about ocean experiences always seem appropriate almost every few days now. One son lives near Windandsea, went surfing twice yesterday. The older son posted a youTube channel called "Off Da Lip" and posts daily. I d live near Cliffs now. Appreciate and stoked that you actually responded to me.

[@dariusdevas4490]

@@George-jn7qm always happy to respond to thoughtful comments George. All the best from Australia.

[@RunningDarkMare]

THANK YOU - THANK YOU..............................your book is a gift to so many...this VIDEO is LOVELY, TRUTHFILLED .... I felt understood

[@mbb3]

I was brought to tears. Thanks for the eloquent words from the gut

[@nicholasrichon5062]

Greatest book. I'm still trying to thrash this sentence though...... ""People who tried to start at an advanced age, meaning over fourteen, had, in my experience, almost no chance of becoming proficient, and usually suffered pain and sorrow before they quit. It was possible to have fun, though, under supervision, in the right conditions..."

[@BeingHere]

Ah yes harsh truths Nicholas...

[@nicholasrichon5062]

"Most", "most people" is what he wrote but the freakin' editor concised it.....

[@jono8100]

No this is not true anymore. the advent of performance long boards and SUP's have made this old news. I know a handful of people that became accomplished surfers after the age of 40. They came to the plate in good shape and with the time and maniac persuit.

[@UmboMoioli]

I was thinking about that too. I stayed surfing at 25yo but first my shape is freaking good, I ve been doing sport and competitions since always and last year I started both surfing and skateboarding and I m 110% into that, like a maniac. Plus when he wrote this, they didn't have the same knowledge we have now about diet and functional training to stay in awesome shape even when u get older (there are ppl in their 60s who can smash kids in their 20s). So fuck of that sentence. I don t give a sh*t, i m still super young and I can reach a great level anyway (ofc I m not aiming to the world tour but u know what I mean)

[@markjamesauthor]

I started at 22, surfed for 3 years, then had a 17-year hiatus (life inland) before I was able to get back to it. Picked up where I left off and am still going 10 years on. Having a blast, getting better each time in the water. I guess I am intermediate by now, somewhat proficient, but I'll never be as good as those who surfed earlier in life and without significant breaks in their surfing. But that's okay; it's not about that. We can't all be from Hawaii, or the coast. I think the key phrase is "before they quit". Just, don't quit.

[@butnutmikami147]

Great book! Totally took me back to my school days at Kaimuki. Yes, there was kill Haole day, but none were. I'm guessing he was a year or two older than me, but I was there during his experiences with da local kids. Hawaii was a different world back in the 60s and 70s. Really brought back feelings and a longing for those days. Looking forward to the movie.

[@robindalusung2143]

Just finished your book. Got so caught up in your descriptions that couldn’t put it down. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@geofffischer4546]

What an exquisite clip. With language like that at his command it's no wonder he won the Pulitzer Prize. I read "Barbarian Days" and loved it . Not just for the surfing . I set about tracking him down with the aim of writing to him to thank him for the book . He eventually made contact with me, which made my outpouring of admiration feel a little awkward . Still, I had to tell him how far it reached into my surfing soul. I see he has finally stopped resisting riding a long board. Happens to the best of us.

[@BeingHere]

Thanks for your thoughtful words, yes Bill is a very generous being indeed.

[@kelly6702]

such a beautifully written book

[@michaelthomas366]

Read the book and enjoyed it very much! He should have named it Finnegan's wake. Lol. I have a similar story on how I ran away from home in California at 17 and flew to Maui in 1975 with 150 bucks in my pocket and lived and surfed there for the next four years. I use to surf "the bay" all the time, too.

[@corriannschafer2323]

Thank-you

[@MrIsomer]

Seems Finnegan and I had pretty parallel lives. Loved his book.

[@hrrter]

Knew nothing about surfing, and loved the book!

[@HDCONEMAN]

nice movie Darius! Keep going! Henry-David from Paris (couchsurfing)

[@vsspmusic]

Wonderful ! Thanks for sharing :)

[@juanpablorizzuti3969]

This a good wave...the book is amazing

[@meesalikeu]

just got the book as a gift and its off to a great start!

[@venussalute7071]

love

[@jeffcahill5722]

Nice video. Absolutely loved the book!

[@markwarren8005]

Nice

[@avefiggy2128]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@stefanoriccobene9952]

Great film, is there any way I can find the music?

[@stuatagovailoa7536]

Can someone please explain to me, why the chapter 7 is called 'Choosing Ethiopia' when there is literally no mention of the place in the chapter?? Its driving me insane?

[@Caliban1616]

I also wondered about this. The exact phrase is mentioned in the chapter, and in that context, my interpretation was that in that part of Bill's life, we was wandering, untethered, had only vague notions of plans, fleeting love with Sharon, etc, and I see the phrase as sort of emblematic of that idea-he was in Africa but it could have been anywhere. He abandoned the idea to go all the way to Cairo. But, the phrase could also be an allusion, but in my research, I couldn't find any specific references to it. Anyhow, amazing book!

[@youTubeify]

Hey the LP is NOT spinning

[@Telferrr]

Hey! are these excerpts from the book? could someone let me know! Cheers!

[@BeingHere]

Yes they are :)

[@Telferrr]

@@BeingHere thank you my friend!

[@BeingHere]

@@Telferrr Well worth the read if you have not. The best book on surfing hands down.

[@dipstickfilms9913]

Would anyone know where that lighthouse is? It reminds me of the one in Byron Bay

[@alexhorne6300]

It is Byron Bay

[@AlexisSantos-nx6ob]

uau.

[@latentsea]

Bro, you don’t even know.