Far at Vernon Towne Cinema

Jul 2, 2019 | 10:05 AM

Far: The Story of a Journey Around the World is being shown by the Okanagan Screen Arts Society at the Vernon Towne Cinema on July 8^th.

This film is the story of a young couple who are German filmmakers and partners, Patrick Allgaier and Gwendolin Weisser, who make a three and a half year trip from their home in Germany across eastern Europe to China, Pakistan and India, all around Asia, the Middle East, across the Pacific to Central America and then back home across the Atlantic.

They travel an incredible 50,000 km with their only means of transportation being walking, hitchhiking, bus, train, or boat. They used no airplanes and nothing that cost them a lot of money.

This amazing pair travel through beautiful landscapes, forests and cities, making various friendships with locals along the way, depicting a romantic notion that few people would be willing to undertake.

They also wanted to correct common misconceptions and myths about the places they visited and the people they met along the way.

Labour Statistics

Regional unemployment continued to climb in April

11h ago

Stop Sprawl Advocates

Group opposing housing development in the Commonage garnered public support

11h ago

Snowpack at 31 per cent of normal

Drought expected for the Okanagan as snowpack levels continue steep decline

13h ago

With plenty of moments of joy and education, this comprehensive and eye-opening travelogue was a surprise box office hit in Germany when it was released in 2018.

This young pair portray European restlessness and the desire to travel in an old school way. This was not an easy journey and Patrick and Gwendolin do not try to glamourize their weariness or the obstacles that they had to overcome.

They are not the type of travellers who want to visit only the tourist attractions and hot spots. Instead they wanted to get a feel for everyday life and culture as this is what taking such a journey should be about. The memories they make along the way are something they will never experience again as most viewers will never get the opportunity to see many of these places for themselves.

This gives the film a believable amount of curiosity and there is a natural warmth whenever the travellers stop to talk with people, giving them a feel for the many local cultures.

There is a bit of drama when Gwendolin discovers that she’s pregnant during the second year of their voyage. They both agree to continue travelling despite this news as they were not willing to turn back or give up and they end up having their child in Mexico.

This is not a flashy film but it is a spectacular trip that is a massive undertaking, making it more humane and all the better for it.

Photo by CinemaClock (Patrick Allgaier and Gwendolin Weisser)

Showtimes at 5:15 & 7:45 p.m.

Pre-show intro by resident Film maker, Matt McDowell. Enjoy live music in the lobby before the early show courtesy of Les Copeland. Cash wine bar open for both shows.

Advance tickets available at the Towne Cinema box office and Expressions of Time bookstore.

We are very proud to announce that due to your amazing support, we will be able to offer three-$2,000 bursaries to students pursuing educations in the arts this year!

If you know of someone who may be eligible and interested in applying, please send them this link to the application form: https://www.osa-vernon.org/bursary

by Okanagan Screen Arts Society

View Comments