Coincidentally, two of the three documentaries releasing theatrically this week follow surfers. One of them is the legendary Doc Paskowitz, now in his 80s, who as a young man escaped what he considered to be a humdrum life as a physician and reinvented himself as an original surfer dude and as the ultimate hippie. The other surfer is Lior, a 21 year old Israeli army vet who lives in the Gaza Strip, where he rides the waves as a lifeguard, enjoying the surfer's carefree lifestyle, until he's forcibly evacuated by Israeli soldiers sent to turn Gaza over to the Palestinians.

In all ways other than their love for the sport, Doc and Lior's lives are dramatically, drastically different--and they're both very interesting.

This week's third opening doc might be characterized as a non-fiction version of The Da Vinci Code, looking at the controversial notion that the descendants of Jesus married French royalty. The documentary reveals interesting new evidence that just might make you a believer.

Here are more details about the three films:

• Bloodline (2008) is British TV doc director Bruce Burgess' investigation of the legend that Jesus survived the crucifixion, married Mary Magdalene, moved to France and had children who married Merovingian royalty. Burgess brings on expert witnesses: Nicholas Haywood, who claim insider information on the Priory of Scion, and researcher Ben Hammott, who discovered a tomb in Rennes-le-Chateau (France) which contains a mummified body that may be the remains of Mary Magdalene. The film's deliberate detective thriller overtones create the same sort of suspense present in The Da Vinci Code, the narrative feature which is based on the same legend, as investigated in various non-fiction books. Read my review of Bloodline
• In Surfwise (2007), director Doug Pray covers the life and times of Dr. Dorian Paskowitz, otherwise known as "Doc," an octogenarian surfer, heath advocate and sex guru. You might say Doc Paskowitz was the ultimate hippie. He lived with his wife Juliette in a camper on the beach, where he raised nine children, all home schooled, taught to surf and to survive like animals in the wild. It's an amazing tale, illustrated with fascinating archival footage.
• Unsettled (2006), directed by Adam Hootnick, follows the interaction of Israelis who must come to terms with their government's decision to end its 38-year occupation of the Gaza Strip. Residents who want to keep their homes and preserve their lifestyle face off against young soldiers sent to evacuate them by force in what is a very emotionally unsettling conflict.

If these films don't screen in theaters in your area, keep your eyes peeled for the DVDs.