The trailer is fantastic. We are off on a RTW trip next year. I can't wait to watch this DVD

fantomulo, I agree. And I don't want to come over as too negative. Generally speaking, I think it's a good and interesting movie - but it has its limitations. Limitations that actually might perpetuate certain stereotypes about backpackers (drink, get laid, party, take a few pictures of famous sights on the way, etc.).

I think, Brook will have to live with criticism. He made a movie about something that is very precious to a group of people (like us here). If he misrepresents (or portrays too narrowly - call it what you will) certain issues, then some people might get a bit touchy about it. On a personal level, I just had the feeling that he was focusing on something that I don't find that important. Yeah, partying and making friends and getting laid is fun. But it's not exactly what eventuated the changes traveling triggered in me.

Touche

Re: ElAdi, Justin, Fantomulo

Regarding the lack of time spent on the local peoples and cultures: I get you, ElAdi, but what you're describing is a series. And a long one at that. You're not going to be able to give any particular culture (or your interactions with them) a lot of screen time when putting together a 2 hour documentary about a solo RTW trip and backpacker culture as a whole. There's simply too much ground to cover in regards to the central subject.

Precious as backpacking may be to some of us here, I doubt that any of us would've sat through the 16 hour film you seem to be advocating.

quote:

Originally posted by Continental Op:

Precious as backpacking may be to some of us here, I doubt that any of us would've sat through the 16 hour film you seem to be advocating.

I am not advocating that. I'm on the side that says let it be. I think he accomplished what he wanted to. It's not an investigation of backpackers interacting with other cultures--It's an investigation into what's going through the minds of backpackers.

Complaining that there's not enough about other cultures in this film is like complaining that there wasn't enough Peter Griffin in The Simpsons Movie.

quote:

Originally posted by Justin7199:
I am not advocating that.

Oh, I know. Your posts were quite clear. I was just re-ing the conversation you three were having about it.

Went back and edited it, so it is more clear whose posts I was addressing.

I'm not talking about a documentary about 'foreign cultures' - that has been and is still being done. But I think it would be possible to show 'what is going through the minds of backpackers' from the angle of the interaction with locals. He actually did have an attempt at it with the Nepal scenes. If he has it in there it just seems (to me) like this part of traveling is worth 10% - and the 'fellow travelers' part is the rest.

But...it's a movie, so it's a matter of taste.

Well done Brook, I really enjoyed it!

As you pointed out, it's the people who make a place and the city and scenery just becomes the back drop. If you don't meet any friendly faces then even the most amazing city becomes dull but if you meet some great ones then you'll come away from even some back water nowhere town with amazing memories.

The intense friendships squashed into a day or a week make me laugh and cringe at the same time. I've never liked the feeling of breezing through places and having to say goodbyes almost as quick as you say hello but I guess that's the way it goes.

One thing I'd suggest for anyone heading off on a long trip would be to make sure you stop in a few places for awhile and really make some lasting connections with people - travellers and locals alike. Get a work visa or two and spend a bit of time working (or volunteering), even if you don't need the money. The bonds you form in the places you stop will make it worth doing whatever crappy job you find yourself in.

You were saying that you got sort of hardened to goodbyes on your trip. I think it's important to make sure that each goodbye actually means something beyond a quick hug and an 'Email me!' otherwise there's not really much point in saying bye at all.

I don't think it's unrealistic to make lifelong friends on trips like this but I got the impression from this film that Brook doesn't expect to see most of these people ever again. That's a bit of a depressing thought... the world is a very small place.

Overall I really enjoyed it! It brought back some great memories of my first trip to Australia.

Iv'e now watched this movie three times and passed it on to my niece, who backpacked western europe last summer alone at age 18. Everytime I watch it I appreciate different things about it. In retrospect, I appreciate Brook showing us much about the interrealtionships between fellow travellers but in the end I wished he had filmed more about his relationships/encounters with locals. The young men in Nepal speaking about politics was by far the most interesting part of the film to me. Anyway, I think Brook did a great job, especially for a first film. I hope he does a follow up!

Brook is currently traveling through Northern Europe, and writing about his experiences over at gadling.com. You should start to see his posts on the site next week. I'll let everyone know when they're up and where to find them.

Here's a sneak peak at his first post:

http://www.gadling.com/2007/08/10/across-northern-europ...-a-light-on-iceland/

It'll go live tomorrow morning. Brook's got posts scheduled well into next week about his adventures on the Westman Islands in Iceland, and beyond to Denmark and Germany. Check it out!

Thanks for posting that, Justin.
I love Brook's writing style. I'm excited to read about his latest adventures!

no problem! He's got more musings on Berlin going live tomorrow at 9:00a EST. Here's a permlink for all of his posts, in case you just want to bookmark (or get an RSS feed of) his writing:

http://www.gadling.com/category/across-northern-europe-with-brook-silva-braga/

thanks!
justin

Brook's 2nd to most recent blog called A Perishable Feast is EXCELLENT. I suggest reading it.

Agree, Travel4Life -- it's my favorite of his so far. Here's a direct link:

http://www.gadling.com/2007/08/15/across-northern-europe-a-perishable-feast/