I finally got to see the movie Tracks, an utterly mesmerising film based on Robyn Davidson’s real life 2,700km trek across West Australian deserts. Having recently jettisoned most of my life’s possessions, I was a tad worried that the movie might compel me out onto the sandy plains. Thankfully my inability to function in temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius hindered such frivolity. Instead the movie left me engrossed in Davidson’s life and pondering notions of humanity and the unpredictability of friendship.
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| Thanks to Tracks |
In the 1970’s Davidson discarded employment, friends and family replacing them with four camels, that she trained from wild beginnings, and an extremely faithful dog.
To help fund the adventure Davidson reluctantly allowed National Geographic to send along American photographer Rick Smolan (Adam Driver). However from the moment he arrived with cameras clicking and endless chatter, it was clear things weren’t going to work out. He was soon relegated to a limited number of predetermined meet ups. Months later however their meeting would prove instrumental in Davidson’s survival.
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| Thanks to spotlight report |
Aside from a fascinating, inspirational story, I thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent cinematography. The changing colours of the sand acted as a shorthand for where Davidson was on her adventure. I beamed when the white sands of Western Australia appeared.
Mia Wasikowska is absolutely wonderful in the role of Davidson, as is the rest of the cast including an appearance from Tim Rogers.
Several hours after the movie I was still pondering …
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The human spirit is unfathomably strong and, as the movie sets out to show, an ordinary person is indeed capable of anything.
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I feel so blessed to live in a place, and time, that accommodates people who want to live outside the box.
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I wish I’d seen the movie or read the book prior to hearing Davidson speak at a Festival as I now have three questions I’d love to ask her.
What about you … out of all the people you’ve met, who would be the most unlikely to be your knight in shinning armour? This could well be the person you should invest some more time with.
While you’re pondering … what were you doing in the 70’s … wandering across the dunes?
Tracks is showing at Luna Palace Cinemas www.luna.com.au . I strongly recommend this stunning, thought provoking movie.
