Heaven Is On My Side

A short film on gratitude and big-wave surfing featuring João “Massas” de Macedo, “Heaven Is On My Side” is simultaneously a documentary and a meditation on environmental consciousness through Macedo’s experience at the world’s biggest wave in Nazaré, Portugal.

Featuring João “Massas” de Macedo / Special thanks to: António “Tiger” Silva for his support and participation / Featuring an audio excerpt of the sermon “Heaven is on my Side” by Reverend Lavon Boatner at Old Pathway Baptist Church / Produced & directed by: Marco Espirito Santo / Director of photography: Bruno Mangas / Additional Cinematography: Rodrigo “Rod” Caetano / Edited by: Marco Espirito Santo / Music: “Fool” by Ryan Taubert (via Musicbed) / Thanks to: World Surf League, The Forum, Mikey Corker, Save the Waves Coalition, Nazaré Water Fun, Nuno Vidas, Ivo Cação, Tyler Cave, Ruben Constantino, Gigantes da Nazaré, Lars Peirtsegaele, Valerio Rossi Zweifel, Katherine Masters, Caroline Schio, Tyler Cave, and DEL / Thanks also to: Ângelo Neto & everyone at Ohai Nazaré Outdoor Resort for their generosity / Big thanks to João sponsors: Patagonia, FCS, ORG Surfboards, FunBox Footwear, Piscis Leather, Sporting Clube de Portugal, XinoGlass, Surf Academia Joao Macedo, and Hope Zones Foundation / Processing & Scan by On8mil, London / Shot on location in Nazaré, Portugal. © MMXXII, LaPush.

“Heaven Is On My Side” is a short film born of the desire to portray my friend and big-wave surfer João “Massas” de Macedo’s unique relationship with the giant waves of Nazaré, one of deep gratitude and respect, both for the wave and the whole community that surrounds it. Plus he absolutely charges out there, so to get a front-row seat to that, both on competition and non-competition days, was an absolutely incredible opportunity I jumped at. As if shooting big-wave surfing wasn’t hard enough though, we decided to shoot on Super 8 film, to keep the crew to a minimum and also to create a timeless aesthetic that reflected the location and themes of the film. Thanks to all those involved in making this happen.