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SET ADRIFT
Rob Machado premieres 'The Drifter' for San Diego friends and family
By: Mike Cianciulli
Photos: Jeremiah Klein
SURF NEWS Rob Machado premieres 'The Drifter' for San Diego friends and family
November 5, 2009
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"This is home for me," Rob Machado reminded the packed house at Encinitas' La Paloma theatre. That phrase rang true with a certain sense of irony as Machado's new movie, The Drifter, hit the big screen for its inaugural showing. In the film, Machado spends six months in Indonesia seeking solitude. Here, Rob seemed overjoyed to be back in all-too-familiar surroundings.
 
Director Taylor Steele joined Machado on stage to introduce the film and joked, "It seems like just yesterday we were here at La Paloma premiering Momentum." Steele, who now lives in Bali, flew home for the two showings (and one in Los Angeles tonight) but wouldn't reveal the exact surf spots featured in The Drifter.
The evening began with recording artist Jon Swift onstage strumming folk melodies as Machado jammed along side him. A few of Swift's songs are featured in the film's Warner Bros. soundtrack. Once the capacity crowd settled in and enjoyed a handful of Swift/Machado riffs, it was time for the moment of truth. The big screen lowered, the lights dimmed, and one of the year's best surf documentaries captivated each and every seat.

For the most part, The Drifter was a tag-along look at Machado's often-feral six months of wandering in Indonesia. Shot on digital's high-quality equivalent to 35 mm film, the state-of-the-art RED camera's cinematography and tight as nails editing made for an entertaining ride. And although the film is a touch light on surfing action, plenty of flawless Indonesian barrels evoked hoots from the audience.

The Drifter is based on Machado's journal entries while in Bali and beyond. And after getting enough tube time at Uluwatu and Bingin, he decided to drop out and tune in. Rob packs a board, a guitar and a tent, chucks his cell phone, buys a motorbike, zooms off, and surrenders to life on the road. The only place he feels at home is weaving through draining pits on some of Indo's lesser-traveled islands.

But now he's here. Back at home. The lights go on. A roar of applause erupts. And Rob Machado entertains questions from his local crowd. Never mind the "Official World Premiere" is tonight in LA. After six months of drifting (and a year and a half of editing), Machado's North County San Diego brethren got first glimpse at the return of surfing's modern day wanderer.

To watch the live webcast of tonight's Los Angeles premiere, click here. The show starts at 8pm PST on Thursday, November 5th.
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