A Map For Staurday

Jun

Posted (Dan) in Reviews on June-4-2007

A few days ago (my birthday) I got home from work and found A Map For Saturday had arrived I was very happy (very fast shipping) and launched it right into the DVD player.

Brook Silva-Braga decided to leave his job and travel around the world for 11 months, with him he took 30lbs of video equipment to shoot his experiences and discover more about the people who take the time for long term travel. The result is a solid and original documentary. It gives an insight that might help prepare future world travelers and impart a little understanding for protective parents or those who just don’t get it.

For a one man show (except for the odd hand from fellow travelers) you could be forgiven for thinking that Brook didn’t do this alone and the fact that he did is a feat in itself. Contrary to the cliches he has also shown that the travelers he meets at least are more intelligent than most give them credit for. The film has a bit of Morgan Spurlock feel about it but I can’t quite put my finger on why, but as a fan of 30 Days I can say that it is definitely not a bad thing.

Although the story follows Brook through 4 Continents it focuses mostly on the travelers and the experience rather than the sights. It destroys romantic ideas of travel and at the same time reinforces them, for the anti-backpacker it may even convince them to soak up a little of one of the biggest travel cultures out there while they are soaking up the local culture as well. A Map For Saturday isn’t black and white in exploring it’s niche, it’s not even all shades of gray, it’s a rainbow, just like the real world and just like it should be.

A Map For Saturday also comes with some of the standard extras, deleted scenes and audio commentary and these especially the commentary are really worth watching, reflections from Brook and the travelers he met on the road about their trip change quite a bit from how they spoke while they were still traveling. Seeing a person change in front of you as a result of their travel experience is maybe a little scary but seeing the change is where the emotional connection is made and you will find it hard as a result to not be inspired to travel.

ajay on June 4th, 2007 at 12:37 pm #

Looks very interesting. Wonder what the itinerary was, and in what places you can spend only $10 a day:) This docu is getting raves from the critics as well… hope we can do the same with GRTV.

Skip on June 6th, 2007 at 2:55 am #

Hey Mate,

I also loved this Docu, I read about Brooks adventure in a travel magazine, and could not wait for it to arrive… I kept emailing him, bugging him “when’s it going to be ready?”… finally, it arrived and it is a great story!

Jeremy on May 30th, 2008 at 1:52 pm #

Nice documentary, It really makes you understand better the plight of the human condition, diversity and sheer miracle of the planet.

Any other doc’s that you can recommend along these lines?

Tanzanite on September 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 am #

Very cool story. Thanks for the link. I am somewhat of an advernturer myself, and can attest to the fact that letting reality go and breaking outside of your own shell into new worlds can completely transform you, and the way you look at the world.

Tanzanite on September 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 pm #

A very inspiring story. Having done a fair bit of backpacking myself in my youth, I really identified with it. A very real and candid representation of travelling without glossing over the messy bits! Much enjoyed.

Kevin Phoenix on December 28th, 2008 at 9:21 pm #

I can’t say that I really enjoyed it… somewhere the real excitement of travel and the exploration of new cultures was shallow, all of the romance had gone.

dino delellis on January 1st, 2009 at 7:00 pm #

Well , I guess it’s a nice approach , focusing on how the trip effects the travelers themselves , how they react and experience the journey.

My friends do a lot of backpacking I’ll recommend this to them I’m very sure they’ll appreicate it.

lifecell on January 13th, 2009 at 7:26 pm #

i wounder for film with Morgan Spurlock feeling. Brook is at height to move all around the 4 continents. I love that to do. but stacked to do my work of family. By Brook I am inspired to do same as in Map of Saturday. Yeah! bet opposite mind can also be seen. BUT Traveled experience make more, reflecting to go in smooth ways. !!

Craig on February 6th, 2009 at 2:22 pm #

Just went off and watched the trailer and I have to say that it does look good. Next I guess I’m off to see if Netflix carries it, I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for the link.

Cheers

Sponsor Links

Blogroll