Discover Haz’s unique desert escapade with his Land Rover in the latest episode of Ferrari Boyz.
The mere mention of Harry Bryant and Dave Fox’s Motel Hell should invoke a visceral response — a chilling sensation creeping up your spine as memories of chaotic surfing adventures flood your mind. If you’re not feeling that ominous tug, it’s high time you revisited this cinematic tour de force — an era-defining odyssey steeped in recklessness, where bodies were contorted by tumultuous waters, and a creative vision that could only emerge from a wild indulgence in pure, unfiltered space-milk awaits you.
Every masterful cinematic creation warrants its own behind-the-scenes account — and this one, more than any other project in the surf film genre, deserves an immersive storytelling exploration.
A visionary. Photo: Thomas Robinson
“It was a complete culture shock for me — sleeping in a swag under the vast desert sky, driving around for hours on end in search of the heaviest waves I had ever encountered,” recalls Stab High Japan champion and Motel Hell co-star, Eithan Osborne. “I was teetering on the brink of vomiting, then panicking, fully aware of the adrenaline-fueled ride we were about to embark on. Then Noz (Deane) starts suiting up, and I thought, screw it, I’m here to embrace the chaos. But then reality hit; it was bigger and more intimidating than I could have ever fathomed. Yet, once I caught my first wave, the rush surged through me, and I suddenly ceased to care about the risks.”
Adrenaline: fully juiced and ready for action.
The South Australian Desert carries a fabled allure — an expansive wilderness, with only the Southern Ocean acting as a buffer between you and the frigid abyss at the earth’s extremities. However, it’s a land rife with peril — searing sands that appreciate the beauty of twilight but will scorch your flesh by day. The waves here are beautifully empty yet harrowing, capable of bestowing life or snatching it away, while the fish lurking beneath the surface are enormous and enraged, and societal outcasts abound, eager to share their life stories. But heed caution: consume the wrong dim sim, and you might find yourself pleading for mercy from the abyss.
“That dim sim had probably been marinating in the backseat for a couple of weeks, I reckon,” Haz laments, recalling his ill-fated decision to satisfy a late-night craving with a questionable, age-old dimmi. “In the dead of night, I found myself hunched over, violently retching. I woke up the next morning, let Barry (Haz’s loyal border collie) out of the car, and he eagerly devoured what I had expelled. We hit the road again, but he soon became a ticking time bomb, racing around in the car. Then, without warning, he just exploded.”
The glamorous allure of desert lodging is often misleading.
As the film progresses, the atmosphere darkens when Wade Goodall reflects on a brush with death involving near-drowning. “I thought I was on the brink of crashing into something solid, but that never happened. Then, suddenly, my board was pinning me down. I attempted to shift, but I was immobilized. I found myself trapped in a cave, my board sealing off my escape,” Wade recalls, detailing a harrowing incident that nearly ended his life.
“It took incredible effort to push past the board, but eventually, I started fighting my way to the surface thinking, ‘Oh thank goodness, I’m emerging,’ only to halt abruptly. My board was still entrapping me in the cave. I reached for my leg rope, but I couldn’t grasp it. At that moment, panic set in, and I thought, no way, I’m going to perish here. I began reflecting on my family, and right when despair threatened to take over, a surge of defiance flooded through me. With all my strength, I yanked my leg, snapping my board in half in the process, tearing my groin, and somehow managing to emerge. For the next two weeks, the slightest thought of falling asleep plunged me back into that watery abyss.”
Seconds away from being swallowed by the cave.
Seldom does the ‘making of’ documentary manage to stand shoulder to shoulder with the original — particularly when dealing with the cultural significance and artistic vision embodied in Motel Hell — but with a treasure trove of 35 minutes worth of behind-the-scenes footage, humor-laden skits, camel milk detox experiences, and spine-chilling stories from both the cast and crew, this offering stands out as a veritable gem amid the mediocrity. Pour yourself a glass of whatever milk you have on hand, settle in, and hit play for a thrilling experience.
### Interview with Eithan Osborne on His Experience in *Motel Hell*
### Interview with Eithan Osborne on His Experience in *Motel Hell*
**Host:** Welcome, Eithan! It’s a pleasure to have you here to share insights about your recent desert adventure featured on the latest episode of *Ferrari Boyz* and your experiences during the filming of *Motel Hell*.
**Eithan:** Thanks for having me! It’s always great to discuss the wild journeys we had while making the film.
**Host:** Your description of the South Australian Desert sounds intense! Could you tell us more about the culture shock you experienced while filming?
**Eithan:** Absolutely! It was a complete culture shock for me. Living out in the desert, sleeping in a swag under the expansive sky, and driving for hours in search of massive waves—it was exhilarating but daunting. I remember feeling a mix of adrenaline and panic as Noz was suiting up; I thought, “Alright, I’m here for the chaos,” but when I saw the waves, I felt a surge of dread. It was way bigger than I’d anticipated! But once I caught my first wave, that rush took over, and the fear disappeared.
**Host:** That sounds electrifying! Your quote about embracing the chaos really resonates. How did your experience compare to typical surfing excursions?
**Eithan:** This was definitely different! Typical surfing involves some comfort—the beach, familiar spots. Here, we were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by raw nature, and the waves were both empty and menacing. The thrill of it was matched only by the realization of how unforgiving it could be. It made every ride feel like a triumph over the elements.
**Host:** You also mentioned a rather comical yet unfortunate incident involving some dim sims. Can you elaborate on that?
**Eithan:** (laughs) Yeah, it was quite the night! I had a late-night craving and ended up eating a dim sim that probably had seen better days. Fast forward to the next morning, and I found myself incredibly ill—let’s just say Barry, my border collie, had a feast from my predicament! The poor guy didn’t fare well either after that. It was a chaotic scene in the car, but it’s a memory I’ll never forget.
**Host:** That adds a unique touch to your adventure! Lastly, what do you hope audiences take away from *Motel Hell*?
**Eithan:** I hope people feel the rush and chaos that comes with both surfing and exploring the unknown. *Motel Hell* is more than just a surf film; it’s about embracing life’s unpredictable nature, pushing boundaries, and finding joy even in the mishaps. It’s a wild ride, and I believe that energy comes through in the film.
**Host:** Thank you, Eithan! Your stories truly capture the essence of adventure and the spirit of surfing. We can’t wait for viewers to see both *Motel Hell* and the latest episode of *Ferrari Boyz*!
**Eithan:** Thanks! I’m excited for everyone to experience it too.