I. Kon-Tiki (2012)   

Kon-Tiki is an Academy Award nominated adventure film which tells the true story of Thor Heyerdahl (Pal Hagen), a Norwegian adventurer, who sailed around 5000 miles from Peru to Polynesia on a wood raft in 1947 to prove his point that it was possible for pre-Columbian tribes to populate Polynesia from the east. Thor gathers his crew and everyone assumes that they are on a suicide mission, especially since one caveat of the journey is that they build their raft like indigenous people of the past allegedly did, using no modern equipment. What I like most in this great film is that it has a soul. This is truly an inspirational voyage film with one likeable and relatable hero at its centre, some emotionally-moving scenes (Thor also has a wife Liv), and with some absolutely stunning “ocean” cinematography and vistas. Unlike previously reviewed The Lost City of Z, “Kon-Tiki” largely takes place where the main action is – the ocean, in this case, and there are a number of tense scenes involving storms and sharks. Moreover, there is some humour and sarcasm thrown into this story, which make for an even more enjoyable watch. 

II. Embrace of the Serpent (2015)

Nominated for an Academy Award, Embrace of the Serpent is a “must-see” film for any Amazon jungle enthusiast. This is the only film on the list which was only loosely inspired by a true story, rather than based on it, but the film does provide an unparalleled insight into the Amazon jungle, its ancient practices, people and wonders. This mostly black-and-white film has an almost historical, documentary feel to it as it tells of Karamakate, a shaman in the Amazon jungle, who encounters two outsiders-scientists – German Theo in 1909 and American Evan in 1940, who both look for yakruna, a mythical sacred plant. In 1909, Theo looks for the plant because he is gravely ill and thinks it is his cure. In 1940, Evan presents himself as a devotee of a plant life, but may have more commercial interests in mind as he tries to gain access to the place of origin of yakruna. Sometimes brutal, sometimes inexplicable and poetic, and often very honest about the impact of Europeans/North Americans in the region, the other great thing about the film is still that it kind of tries to uncover the riddles of the Amazon, including the ancient wisdom of the tribes who seemed to know the mysteries of life/death. So, there is talk of a more enlightening nature of dreams and demonstrations of transcendental experiences (through the taking of hallucinogenic drugs) that can lead to “ultimate” truth. 

III. Into the Wild (2007) 

Directed by Sean Penn, Into the Wild is about Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch (The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)) who went travelling after his graduation, before finally reaching rural Alaska in the early 1990s and going “into the wild” to live off the land. The film tells this interesting true story by reading entries from Christopher’s diary, which he kept throughout his journey and by also showing the impact Christopher’s “bizarre” love for nature had on his parents and his girlfriend. The result is an almost poetic, moving picture with the character clearly established as a completely unmaterialistic young man determined to “live in a moment” and appreciate the “true” freedom while living in the wild, relying only on himself for survival. On his journey, he also meets people who influence him, while he does odd jobs. The film benefits from the talent of such actors as Marcia Gay Harden (Miller’s Crossing (1990)), William Hurt (A History of Violence (2005)), Jena Malone (Nocturnal Animals (2016)) and Kristen Stewart (Personal Shopper (2016)), and also has a memorable soundtrack.

IV. Tracks (2013) 

It is impossible not to feel something of an awe towards Robyn Davidson, a young woman aged 27, who, in 1977, decided to cross Australia with four camels and a dog. From Alice Springs, Central Australia, to the Indian Ocean it is some 1700 miles and the conditions for tracking are harsh. Part of the appeal of the story is the independence and liberation it suggests regarding any young woman’s life and her choices. Tracks, starring Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre (2011)) and Adam Driver (Silence (2016)), and directed by John Curran (The Painted Veil (2006)), is based on that true account and is a visual marvel, while its narrative is bitter-sweet and inspirational. As many others before her, Robyn takes this journey to find herself and rediscover true freedom, but along the way, also finds that the harshness of the Australian desert, including the lack of water and predators, not making it exactly an easy ride. The story itself may not break any new grounds, but its quiet beauty and message may just leave anyone reinvigorated.

V. Wild (2014)  

Wild is a cinematic account of Cheryl Strayed, who went on a hike through the Pacific Crest Trail after a divorce in 1995. It is based on a memoir by Strayed titled Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, published in 2012. Reese Witherspoon, who plays the lead role, has gone quite a way from her trying romantic impersonations in such films as How Do You Know (2010) and This Means War (2012) to emerge in this film Wild as an outstanding actress deserving of her Academy Award nomination recognition. Witherspoon is also the film’s producer. The film itself documents the many challenges of a long-distance and dangerous hike, including the possible lack of food, water and shelter along the way, wild predators and difficult climatic conditions. One of the merits of this film is that it is as much a story of redemption and the reflection on one’s past life, as it is about difficult journeying.

This list was inspired by my previous review of film The Lost City of Z, and the list excludes documentaries and animations, with me focusing on the work released in the 21st century. Other recommended similar-themes films include The Motorcycle Diaries (2004), 127 Hours (2010) and Crowhurst (2017).