Globe’s Secret Machine was definitely at the top of my list of video premieres to make this autumn. The trailer was an all-time favourite and the slanderous guerrilla marketing campaign based around Sonny Miller admittedly caused some hype among industry movers and shakers (although I never bought any of it, to tell the truth).

Secret Machine DVD cover

But as I prepared to leave Surf Europe HQ, my best-made plans were sent into turmoil when I glimpsed clean, relatively empty, 4ft glass at La Petite Madrague on the local Anglet webcam. Oh well, trusting in the press passes I’d secured a few days earlier, it wouldn’t hurt to show up fashionably late on this occasion.

If only… On arrival at the Salle de Bourdaines in Seignosse with the Surf Europe work experience girl in tow (read “date”, if you have to), things were not looking up. All in town for the Quik Pro France, Globe had squeezed 2000 people into the cinema, while 300 + people were getting on it at a Heineken beer tent outside the venue and no amount of blagging (“Taj definitely said he’d save me a seat…”) was going to persuade security to let more people in. Gutted.

All this to say that when Globe sent us the Secret Machine DVD for review last week, I decided to organise my own Secret Machine premiere at home in Anglet. Everyone was invited: Taj, Damien, CJ, Yadin, Noodles, Dion Agius, the whole crew… I even put on free booze, giveaways, autograph signings, rolled out the red carpet, the whole shebang. Plus, we got to watch the DVD Special Features: Deleted Scenes, Making Of, Bonus Parts, Bearded Amp, Trailers and the ‘Play surfing only’ option. But did the action really live up to all the hype?

Shot on location in Indo, Australia, California, Mexico, France, Fiji and Hawaii, Secret Machine definitely showcases some of the sickest free surfing and camera work I’ve seen in a while (well, since I watched Dane Reynolds First Chapter anyway…). No, seriously, it’s sick. Highlights include Taj ripping the shit out of the Mentawais, in particular one tow-at left with some of the fastest backhand snaps ever and a massive backside air; Damo’s performance in macking Mexico and at a previously undocumented left in France isn’t too shabby either, with a spread of monster pits and floaters; And Yadin Nicol’s aerial attack will turn a few heads too. Not forgetting the ace soundtrack and quirky Woody Allen voiceover. Bands include The Black Angels, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Bloc Party, The Arcade Fire, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Knife. I think that’s a wrap.

To throw your own local Secret Machine video premiere, order your DVD copy today at www.globe.tv.

Why rub shoulders with the world’s top surfers at a glitzy movie premiere when you could watch it in the comfort of your own home. Taj punts a tow-at in the Mentawais.