On January 15, Phil Russman  released the second edition of the Gourmet PPG series aptly titled "Why We Fly".  ThIS anxiously awaited DVD was perhaps Phil's greatest flying production to date capturing the 2007 PPG journey from Laredo Mexico to Magdalina Bay on the Pacific Coast of the Baja.  

"Why We Fly" has it all: drama, adventure, humor, fun, PPG flying and MOST IMPORTANTLY PARAGLIDING!!! Indeed, from the "Blair Witch" opening shots featuring  Russman's solitary nighttime desert odyssey to Hurricane Juan baja devastation, to broken ppg's, to broken body  parts, there's enough drama for an academy award.  But more important is the  " WHY WE FLY"  flying theme woven throughout the documentary as espoused by its narrator. 

Meanwhile, Russman sprinkles plenty of  humor, sattire,  and irony; as spicey as a mexican habenero.  We get to know his compadres with their shirts off and their pants down so to speak. Including a segment of the "prickly" side of "Jeffe" Hammond (aka the Hamster) as he sidetracks the convoy into a field trip of desert cactus 101. And this guy KNOWS THEM ALL!  At another point,  Jeff Goin, and Phil discuss the merits and DEMERITS of "Risk and Reward" choosing for/against: helmets, shoes and back protection.  And Dr. Bones clarifies how to correctly manipulate any skeletal malformity including his own boner...the explanation of which I will save for your enjoyment!

The film succeeds in portraying  why PPG pilots fly and intertwines it with the majesty of free flight.  Indeed, each of these PPG enthusiast set out on a PPG adventure and eventually  shred their motors, put on free flight harnesses, and soar pristine  beachfront ridges and dunes  never soared before.  It is because of PPG that they started on their quest but its PG soaring that they unite in peaceful bliss.  Best of all they flew A LOT, and DID BOTH.  

To that end, I  wholeheartedly endorse this movie as the most important marriage of PPG and  PG portrayal to date.  It challenges PPG pilots and PG pilots to reconsider their relative predjudice.  It goes above and beyond these challenges by showing how PPG encourages adventure and how PG fosters the peaceful majesty of flying as an end.  In actuality the sports are not different at all; and in fact they  compliment each other .
Phil Russman deserves great recognition for a flying production that soars above the others.  Phil starred, filmed, wrote, produced and published the DVD to a great extent on his own accord. But it wouldn't been the masterpiece that it is without the other fanatacial flyboys: the Hamster, Mr. Goins, and Doctor Bones.

It doesn't matter whether you are a layperson, PPG, PG, HG, or other type of pilot....you will enjoy this film for the adventure that it is and  what we share: WHY WE FLY!!!

FOR MORE INFO SEE: http://www.litetouchfilms.com/

PS So Jeffe Hamster, I guess i'll be seeing on north launch at La Salina next weekend...right??? Bajabrent

 

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