The Smog of the Sea

Last summer, marine scientist Marcus Eriksen invited renowned surfers Keith and Dan Malloy, musician Jack Johnson, spearfisher Kimi Werner, and bodysurfer Mark Cunningham to join him on a one-week journey through the Sargasso Sea to assess the fate of plastics in the world’s oceans. Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation, Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, 5 Gyres and Brushfire Films are teaming up with the Honolulu Museum of Art and the IUCN Congress to present the world premiere of “The Smog of the Sea” at the Doris Duke Theatre on Friday, September 2 at 7:30 pm. This screening is sold out, so we have added a second screening on Sunday, September 4 at Patagonia Haleiwa! Doors open at 6:30pm and film starts at 7:00pm.

After years of hearing about ocean “garbage patches,” the crew was stunned to learn of an actual “fog” of microplastics—trillions of barely visible shards—permeating the world’s oceans. How do you stop a fog? Using nostalgic super8 footage, sparkling underwater cinematography, an original score by Jack Johnson and shipmate Simon Beins, and live-action footage of the crew’s research, “The Smog of the Sea” provides a new perspective on marine pollution, and makes an artful call to action for rethinking the scourge of the sea—single-use plastic.

“The Smog of the Sea” is directed by Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Ian Cheney (King Corn, Truck Farm, The City Dark, The Search for General Tso).