Chasing the Unknown…
This exceptional documentary, with original 1957 restored footage, captures the essence of mid-century exploration in its purest form. Two men, one outfitted range rover and a lust for adventure through untamed landscapes, offers a rare glimpse into a world before greed and chaos upset everything. It’s a film that doesn’t just show you some wild places, it invites you to feel it.
The men in question are renowned Canadian wildlife artist and naturalist, Robert Bateman, and Bristol Foster, a prominent biologist and the first director of BC’s Ecological Reserves Program. What makes it even more special is that these men are lifelong friends.
I think this film will appeal to anyone who loves travel and adventure in general. It will especially appeal to those, who like me, have been to Africa and were lucky enough to see wildlife in their natural habitat and meet local people such as the Maasai with their rich culture, pastoral lifestyle, and deep connection to the land in Kenya and Tanzania.
Although the difference here is that these men traveled to Africa at a time when it was very unusual to see foreign people, especially Caucasians. And they took chances off the beaten path. Young and fearless, but extremely smart and capable. They’re lucky they avoided any harm along the way, sometimes coming close to possible disaster.
The Range Rover (aka “the Grizzly Torque”) ran 30,000 kilometres across Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
Foster made sure to acquaint himself beforehand on every aspect of fixing the vehicle. Bateman sketched animals and people along the way and painted a mural of every place they visited along the Grizzly Torque.
Director Alison Reid (the woman who loves giraffes), Robert Bateman and Bristol Foster were there for a Q&A after the showing. I went with a friend who knew the Bateman family from growing up in Ontario. She told me that when Bateman was a teacher, he would take the kids on nature walks and she credits him with having given her a love of nature.
From the VIFF guide:
Through in-depth interviews with friends and family and the original 16mm film footage of their incredible journey, Reid shows how the trip expanded the pair’s knowledge of the physical world while deepening their spiritual and emotional connection to it.
A heartwarming, inspirational love letter to the adventure of life itself.
The October 12 screening is a Relaxed Screening. For Tickets:
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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