Duende

Leo Hamilton never asked to fall in love with the Chilean exchange student who turned up in his biology class on the first day of year 12. From the first moment Valentina knocked on the door, she knocked the breath out of him, and knocked his entire world off balance.

Not that his world was completely on balance; it’s hard when the man who’s supposedly your father lives on a boat and only comes home on Sundays to mow the lawn. But at least Leo knew what he was doing in life, or at least, thought he knew what he was doing.

Things are made even more complicated when a film crew arrives in town to make a film about Leo’s dad’s life as a pro surfer. The expose into his family’s life makes Leo angry and alienated, and when he finds out it was written by his cross-country coach he begins a downhill slide that results in him missing out on the state team, and breaking the coveted rule: never touch a mate’s sister.

When Leo’s grandfather dies, his life spirals into a pit of hell where the weight of expectation from others becomes too much. Fortunately, Leo’s mum, forever the strength of the family, is supportive and understanding, guiding him in the right direction.

For the first time in five years Leo goes for a surf and the freedom of the ocean allows him to get control of his emotions and the pressures in his life. This reclamation of self leads him to being asked to be in the film, and to teach Valentina to surf.

Leo’s new spirit shines through and he’s able to accept the way life is without allowing it to control him. With this newfound strength he gets the confidence to build on the friendship he’s established with Valentina.