Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Hangs Upon Nothing Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 24, 2016

While the gold standard for surf movies was set all the way back in 1966 with Bruce Brown’s “The Endless Summer,” it hasn’t stopped filmmakers from trying to explore the combination of water sports and world travel. Director Jeremy Rumas takes a more dreamy approach to the pastime with “Hangs Upon Nothing,” which does away with structure, introductions, and locations to simply take in the power of rolling waves and the spirit of surfing freedom, endeavoring to connect man and nature as a few subjects embark on daily adventures into the ocean, enjoying the most beautiful places on Earth.

“Hangs Upon Nothing” is a meditative picture, showing little interest in the fine points of personality and location. Instead of exposition, Rumas offers vivid 16mm-shot imagery of his travels, following surfers old and young into the water to capture their wave skills. There are also points of cultural immersion, with locals featured as prominently as the stars of the show, finding Rumas often caught wandering through his surroundings, picking up bits of community interactions and behavior. Those looking for a more direct shot of documentary style aren’t going to be satisfied here, as Rumas is only concerned with summoning mood, leaving any education about the surfers and their history to post-screening internet searches.

Hangs Upon Nothing Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Shot on 16mm, the AVC encoded image (1.64:1 aspect ratio) presentation preserves the look and feel of the original cinematography, delivering filmic intimacy with the messy frame and rounded edges. Detail is beautiful, with pleasing vistas and sporting footage that brings out location textures, while facial particulars are natural. Colors are dreamy, delivering on big blue water and intense greenery. Skintones are secure. Delineation is never challenged. Grain is heavy, but wonderfully so. Inherent damage and abuse isn't scrubbed away.

Hangs Upon Nothing Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix comes through loudly, leading with bold instrumentation on scoring efforts, which retain precision, handling creamy reverb and heavier percussion carefully, adding to listener immersion as surrounds are filled. Narration is basic but professionally positioned, never lacking clarity.

Hangs Upon Nothing Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Jeremy Rumas.

• "About Nothing" (10:01, HD) is a making-of with Rumas, who's interviewed on a frozen lake in Indiana during the dead of winter, perhaps trying to create a polar opposite atmosphere to the paradise depicted in his film. It's a conversation that covers inspirations and execution, and Rumas's "approach to art."

• "Surf Celluloid" (10:08, HD) is a more technical explanation of the feature, with Rumas detailing his work with a wind-up Bolex camera, and all the challenges the came with that cinematographic choice. The helmer also discusses the differences between working with film and digital.

• Still Gallery (19:47) collects personal pictures and artwork.

• A Teaser Trailer (1:00, HD), Extended Trailer (5:01, HD), and Release Trailer (1:44, HD) are included.

Hangs Upon Nothing Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Approached with impatience and "Hangs Upon Nothing" dissolves on contact. Rumas isn't telling a story here, he's living one, often in his own head, making the viewing experience challenging, requiring a relaxation of expectations. "Hangs Upon Nothing" is meant to wash over the viewer in slow-motion, soaking up natural beauty and skill one scratchy frame at a time.