From Iceland — Run For Your Life!

Run For Your Life!

Published May 7, 2012

Run For Your Life!

Documentaries are certainly not easy to make. They can be overly long, biased or downright boring. ‘Town of Runners,’ a documentary by Jerry Rothwell about Bekoji, a ‘running town’ in Ethiopia, is anything but this. The film is narrated by Biruk, a young runner who owns a kiosk in Bekoji. It follows the path of two young girls, Hawii and Alemi, who are best friends and share a common passion: running. The girls come from poor families that work on farms all day, and are far removed from the life of a professional athlete. Their talent and discipline earn them initial success at the National Youth Championships and they go on to be selected by Ethiopian running clubs. Inspired by such athletic idols as Tirunesh Dibaba and Kenenisa Bekele, their dream is to become professional runners and compete in international competitions.
Even for people who aren’t into watching sports, there is little in the way of such a great story. It is splendidly told and beautifully captures the struggle to follow your dreams and passions. The film excels at depicting the harsh realities of life in Bekoji: from the runners’ struggle to win to their fear of losing. The beauty of rural life in Ethiopia caught in cinematographic and musical harmony juxtaposed with a new reality of modern life moving into the town was stunning. We left the cinema wondering what the future holds for the protagonists.   
You should go see it! It’s showing at the Shorts&Docs Festival at Bíó Paradís on Monday, May 7 at 18.00 and Wednesday, May 9 at 22.00. You can find more information at www.shortsdocsfest.com

Support The Reykjavík Grapevine!
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!

Next:
Previous:



Culture
Film & Theatre
Don’t Mess With A Chamber Orchestra

Don’t Mess With A Chamber Orchestra

by

Culture
Film & Theatre
Natatorium: Where Family Bonds Crumble

Natatorium: Where Family Bonds Crumble

by

Culture
Film & Theatre
Of Dreams And Metaphors

Of Dreams And Metaphors

by

Culture
Film & Theatre
Bringing The Game Home

Bringing The Game Home

by

Show Me More!