MOVIE REVIEWS
Riding Solo To The Top
Of The World
Dirt Track Productions
2006
93 Minutes
There is a motorcycle in there,
a Royal Enfield 350cc Bullet, yet it
features rarely in this absolute gem
of a film. It’s a means of transport,
not the star, that’s left to the people
and landscapes of this region of
India.
Riding Solo To The Top Of
The World is the 2006 film made
by Gaurav Jani of his solo ride
to the Changthang Plateau,
nestled between Ladakh and the
Himalayas. The bike is unpowered,
overloaded, and perhaps not
suitable yet it takes Jani to a region
that is unexplored and that is the
beauty of this award-winning film.
Jani spends a considerable
amount of time with nomadic
Changpa people, sharing their
lives, beliefs and wisdom. It’s
a humbling experience for film
maker and viewer.
Riding Solo To The Top Of The
World is shot and produced like a
documentary of the 1970s. It’s raw.
It’s humbling. It’s outstanding.
At its core, this film is what solo
adventure/overland motorcycling
should be; an experience to explore
the unknown.
What Jani created was a film that
is extremely enjoyable regardless
of whether you’re a motorcyclist, a
traveller, or just someone yearning
for knowledge.
Riding Solo To The Top Of The
World is a must watch and is
available on YouTube and another
streaming services.
Gaurav Jani passed away in late May,
2020. His two films are regarded as
some of the most influential of the genre.
We're saddened by the loss, yet extremely
grateful for his legacy.
Beyond The Border
Noren Films
2010
60 Minutes
Sterling Noren set out on a ride
of discovery exploring the Baja and
Sierra Madre regions of northern
Mexico.
Beyond The Borders explores the
perseption, held by his countrymen
of the United States that Mexico
is a lawless place where crime is
rampent, and murder often the
result.
Noren explores all aspects
of Mexican life, culture and
environment and finds a proud
people who want nothing more
than a happy and safe existence,
they agree that there is indeed
issues within Mexico but perhaps
none more so than that of the
United States, it's a view not driven
by the mass media.
Despite only ten years old,
Beyond the Border feel much older,
it's shot with a caring approach of
old, independant and not guided
by commercial influence. In that
regard it's a well constructed film
made by the solo rider.
The level of riding in Beyond
The Border is certainly not epic yet
does evoke a want to ride Mexico,
it opens the viewers eyes to the
varying environments within this
north American country.
A highlight of Beyond The
Borders is the foot race (Copper
Canyon Ultra Marathon) it's a look
at the modern and old worlds and
how the two have come together to
earn the greatest respect.
Beyond The Borders is a film
with a great story to tell; never
judge, never believe, always
discover for yourself.
Beyond The Border is available
on DVD and some streaming
services.
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