AstroTurf and Polytan Produce Hockey Documentary; The Surface

Polytan and Astroturf have announced the digital release of ‘The Surface,’ a new hockey documentary which charts hockey’s turf transformation from grass players to turf-natives. The film was produced by Level Films.

Directors and producers James Dean and Matt Crocker explore some of the most pivotal moments in hockey’s 45- year transformation since the First Turf at the Montreal Olympics in 1976. From Montreal 76, to the skills explosion in the 2000s, to London 2012’s famous blue turfs and the launch of hockey’s sustainability journey at Tokyo2020, The Surface gives a voice to hockey’s 4,000-year history and its astonishing 45-year turf story.

We are super excited to share 'The Surface' with you- an emotive film that tells the story of hockey’s amazing transformation into a fast and dynamic sport thanks to the introduction of turf #TheSurfaceFilm #Hockey #Poligras #AstroTurf @AymarLucha @ArgFieldHockey @PanAmHockey pic.twitter.com/0oPtZoMdDQ

— AstroTurf (@AstroTurfUSA) December 8, 2021

Featuring Jamie Dwyer, Luciana Aymar, Tayyab Ikram, Ric Charlesworth and an enviable cast of other hockey legends, the film tells hockey’s unique story through the stars and leaders who helped to transform the game.

Luciana and Jamie, who between them have 13 World Player of the Year awards, ignited the skills explosion and give a first-hand perspective on what it took to take the game to new levels.

Tayyab Ikram, CEO of the Asian Hockey Federation covers so much ground from elite coaching to youth participation and provided an insight into the golden age of India and Pakistan hockey.

"Hockey goes back into the mists of times.. but in terms of a game that had some rules- 1871 was that point" #TheSurfaceFilm #HockeyTransformation #HockeyTurf @USAFieldHockey @TheHockeyMuseum @WGMAHockey pic.twitter.com/vkShWcrmf1

— AstroTurf (@AstroTurfUSA) December 10, 2021

Sue Catton who was the driving force for two major innovations – London’s blue turfs which have changed hockey’s colors forever and Big Stadium Hockey which made the game available to more fans – offers a first-hand insight into these pivotal moments.

Created by Level Films and supported by Polytan and Astroturf, The Surface is a film about innovation that required an innovative approach. COVID-19 necessitated completely reimagining the process of documentary film-making. All interviews outside of the UK had to be conducted remotely and much of the film was directed through video link to local film crews.

"All of these players that were ahead of me were coming up with these amazing skills.. that affected me and I wanted to learn those things" #TheSurfaceFilm #HockeyTransformation #HockeyTurf @NikSymmons @IrishHockey pic.twitter.com/AAleY9tsWo

— AstroTurf (@AstroTurfUSA) December 13, 2021

The result is a film about the making-of modern hockey that is totally original and told from a number of important perspectives from across the global hockey community.

The Surface is available to view now on The Surface Film (thesurface-film.com).