Directed by Topher Cochrane & Alex Rust
Edited by Andrew Swant & Chris James Thompson
A feature-length documentary about wildman Alex Rust, who leaves the midwest at age 25 to become a derelict sailboat captain. With no previous sailing experience, he and his friends dare to circumnavigate the globe in desperate pursuit of a meaningful life.
ABOUT
- Watched over 2.5 million times on YouTube
- Premiered at the Chicago’s historic Logan Theatre
- Sold-out screenings at the Milwaukee Film Festival
- Featured on WGN TV (Chicago), Director’s Cut (PBS Wisconsin), Lake Effect (NPR Milwaukee)
- Visit the Chasing Bubbles Foundation
“Gripping … chronicles each step of his journey utilizing candid interviews with his closest friends, family members, and traveling companions, as well as the library of stunning footage he captured along the way. Viewers of the film will also feel like a fellow passenger as Alex and his crew encounter the glories of the natural world, engage with communities that have long been undocumented, and even climb an active rumbling volcano. Chasing Bubbles works as both a breathtaking travelogue and an absorbing character study. What was it that drove Alex? Was he embracing the possibilities of life, or running away from a pain he couldn’t define? It’s in this personal exploration that the film truly resonates.”
“An extraordinary tale … an emotional mix of joy and adventure, filled with incredible images of the people and places of the world. Rust is fascinating to watch at all times — he’s a throwback and a trailblazer, and it’s impossible not to get swept up in his zest for life. Chasing Bubbles is a worthy tribute to the man, to the possibilities and danger and adventure hiding under the surface of a typical life.”
– No Budge
“It’s partially about a journey…but it’s mostly about a personality. Working from wanderlust home videos made by Alex and his friends, editors Chris James Thompson and Andrew Swant manage to match their subject’s joie de vivre … an ebullient experience.”
– Critic Speak
“Dizzying yet raw … as inspirational as it gets. In this honest portrayal of world cruising, Rust’s exploits and misadventures are all caught on camera, and they’ve been beautifully edited to challenge viewers to question their own path. For sailors and non-sailors alike, Chasing Bubbles will have you laughing, biting your lip, and shedding a tear all at once – it’s a must-see.”
– Cruising World Magazine
“The true story of the worst sailor to ever sail around the world.”
– Documentary Storm
“One of the 15 best sailing movies.”
– Sail Universe
“One of the Top 17 sailing sites you need to visit: Chasing Bubbles on YouTube.”
– Bangor Daily News
“One of my favorite sailing documentaries … A must see for the adventurer in all of us.”
– 48 North Magazine
“A globe trotting adventure/travelogue/character study … exciting, funny, inspiring, and altogether human … captures a full range of emotions. And that’s something a lot of films with much bigger budgets can’t say. I think a lot of people are going to be pleasantly surprised by this film which is a real crowdpleaser.”
– Where the Long Tail Ends
“#1 Most Inspiring Sailing Story … My absolute favorite. The story is so heartfelt and entertaining, I did not want it to end!”
– Heeling Heart
“A funny, heartbreaking and powerful documentary.”
– Scandinavian Mariner
“A beautiful documentary … incredible and moving.”
– VELA
“This documentary captures his raw honesty, exploits, and misadventures on film by pushing everything in the world to the limit and leaving each viewer to question their path in life.”
– Documentary Lovers