A feature wildlife documentary by Luka Raubenheimer | 2025

In search of waves and one of Indonesia’s most elusive reptiles, the new wildlife documentary from Australian film maker and professional snake catcher Luka R blends risky field research, road trip filmmaking and faux documentary into a moving story of friendship and obsession that explores our complicated relationships with each other and the natural world.

Snakes and Surf Breaks follows a daring and amateur team’s 3 month expedition across the Indonesian archipelago in search of a Cobra. Their journey takes them through some of thickest tropical jungles, flooded caves, remote coastlines and dense urban sprawls of one one of the worlds fastest growing countries. Capturing all the moments of tension, chaos and absurdity that comes with a wild and mostly unplanned chase.

At its core, Snakes and Surf Breaks is about a pursuit, not only to encounter and document the Cobra but also the pursuit of dreams and the reasons why we chase them. What starts as one person’s focused mission sprawls out into a shared adventure full of risks, unexpected discoveries and unscripted comedy.

A story about a daring 3-month expedition across the Indonesian archipelago. A pursuit, not only to encounter and document the Cobra but also the pursuit of dreams and the reasons why we chase them. What starts as one person’s focussed mission sprawls out into a shared adventure full of risks, unexpected discoveries and unscripted comedy.

At its core, it’s about the pursuit of dreams and the reasons why we chase them. London Surf Film Festival

Director’s Statement — Luka R

“I made this film because I had to. It’s a project born entirely from passion — a convergence of my deepest loves: wildlife, surfing, and raw adventure. Through this work, I hope to ignite a sense of wonder and respect for some of the world’s most misunderstood animals, encouraging audiences to reconnect with nature and embrace the wild beauty that surrounds us.

Beyond fostering love for the natural world, this film is also a personal manifesto — a reminder that life is short, and the pursuit of one’s dreams is always worth the risk. I hope it moves people to step outside and chase their dreams.