ABOUT THE FILM (IMDB)

• Running time: 77 minute Theatrical Version

• See production info at IMDbPro

SYNOPSIS

Once labeled a “youth-at-risk,” 30-year old Matt Rutherford risked it all in an attempt to become the first person to sail around the Americas alone, nonstop via North and South America.  Red Dot on the Ocean is the story of Matt Rutherford’s death-defying voyage and the childhood odyssey that shaped him.

Departing Annapolis, MD in a scrappy old 27-foot fiberglass sloop without fanfare, 30-year-old Rutherford braved the icebergs of the arctic and mountainous waves of Cape Horn to become the only person to ever sail around the Americas single-handed, non-stop; a 27,000 mile journey many professional sailors declared “a suicide mission.” As a youngster, Matt’s ADHD and tics made life at home and at school near-impossible. At age 13 he was in drug rehab and he spent his remaining teen years more on the streets than in school. Then, at age 17, locked up in a cell, he had an epiphany and decided to turn his life around. Matt attended and excelled at a special high school for troubled youth where he developed a desire to explore the world. After graduating, he bought his first sailboat – sight unseen on the Internet. Over the next few years he bought boats on the cheap, fixed them up, and learned to sail on the fly. In 2008, Matt embarked on a single-handed voyage from the USA to Europe, West Africa and back across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. He’d found his calling. In 2011, Matt took on his biggest challenge: a solo, nonstop circumnavigation of the Americas. He did it for himself, and to raise money for disabled sailors. After 309 days at sea, Matt achieved his goal and sailed into Annapolis to a hero’s welcome. Matt’s story is told through his own words and interviews with his family, sailing experts, and others. We use family photos and video of his childhood; Matt’s own footage of his early sailing days; and video, audio logs, and stills from his historic around the Americas voyage. To this we add additional ocean footage; archival visuals of earlier explorers Matt admires; and re-enactments from Matt’s troubled past. Matt Rutherford’s story is full of surprises. It is truly inspiring and makes us all feel we can do more than we ever imagined.

REVIEWS

A Troubled Youth — Ben Kenigsberg, NEW YORK TIMES

Matt Rutherford’s childhood was fraught with obstacles. He grew up in an obscure Christian cult, struggled with ADHD and learning disabilities, was in drug rehab at 13, lived on the streets, and in juvenile detention. While attending a special high school, Matt discovered that he actually liked to learn and developed a passion to see the world.

“Red Dot on the Ocean portrays the story as triumph over adversity and wayward youth….we learn that he spent part of his childhood in a cult and struggled with ADHD. That condition may have led him to — and helped him thrive in–the adrenaline highs of sailing…. Plays like an upbeat, real-life “All Is Lost,” as Mr. Rutherford, with relatively simple sailing equipment, contends with setbacks and the elements.”

Learning to Sail — Frank Scheck, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

After graduating, Matt taught himself how to sail, crossed the Atlantic alone to Europe, sailed south to Africa, then back across the Atlantic. Along the way he read about Ernest Shackleton and other Arctic explorers, and became obsessed with sailing the Northwest Passage — the once impassable ice-clogged waterway that joins the North Atlantic with the North Pacific.

“It’s an inspiring tale, to be sure…. Rutherford is an engagingly charismatic, charmingly self-deprecating figure….”

Solo Nonstop Around the Americas — Herb McCormick, Senior Editor, CRUISING WORLD MAGAZINE

In June 2011, Matt departed on an incredible, death-defying voyage to sail nonstop around the Americas. On an old, scrappy 27-foot sailboat he spent the next 309 days alone at sea. He braved the icebergs of the Arctic and the treacherous waters off Cape Horn.

“This is a remarkable film, one of the best sailing documentaries ever produced…. What makes this story so engrossing, though, is that the sailing part is only half the tale….”

Professional Sailors Called Him Crazy — Frank Lovece, FILM JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

Before he left, professional sailors called him crazy and declared his proposed 27,000-mile journey “a suicide mission”. But Rutherford proved them wrong. He brought back remarkable video footage and audio logs, raised $120,000 for charity, and entered the record books.
“Endlessly engrossing

“….It’s hard to get more inspirational than the real-life voyage of Matt Rutherford….Documentarian Amy Flannery gives us a feel for the constant pounding of the waves in rough water, juxtaposed with the dangerous beauty of icebergs….You can’t help but be gratified at this eminently nice guy’s amazing accomplishment.”

Troubled Youth to Sailing Legend — Andy Schell, 59-NORTH.COM, contributing editor SAIL MAGAZINE

How does a troubled youth become a sailing legend? Ask Matt Rutherford. His story is full of surprises and makes us all feel we can do more than we ever imagined.

“In a word: inspiring….It deserves to become a classic….I found myself on the edge of my seat, my heart racing.”

Subscribe, Buy or rent through Sailflix.com