How Far Would You Walk For Freedom

After writing about ‘The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari’, I thought I would highlight another true story of individuals rising above their circumstances. This is a drama, a recreation, but the details are powerful.

If this story were fiction you would laugh it off as ridiculous. How any person, no matter their drive or physical state, could pull off this audacious act is almost beyond belief. Because this is the true story of a one-man, three year trek across Siberia it is compelling and powerful. Watch this film about the power of the individual that you might have missed!

‘As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me’ tells the true story of an escaped prisoner of war after World War Two. The Russians have captured this German soldier and sentenced him to 25 years of hard labor. He is shipped off to a mine located in the farthest reaches of Eastern Siberia. After being there for over 4 years he escapes. He must then travel over a total of 8,000 miles in a desperate search for freedom and a return to his home and family. Most of that voyage is spent alone and on foot. In some of the most inhospitable terrain on Earth.

Siberia is a less than hospitable place. Freezing cold, tremendous distance and pursuing police make this journey near incomprehensible. Filming ‘As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me’ must have been difficult as well. Director Hardy Martins does some fine work with an extremely small cast. Screen writers Bastian Cleve and Bernd Schwamm, along with Martins, use the facts of the day to tell a powerful story. But it is the acting of Bernhard Betterman, as Clemens Forrell, that carries this film. He is on-screen in almost every shot and is, of course, the focus of the movie. Much like Tom Hanks in ‘Castaway’, Betterman must grab our attention and our sympathy for us to enjoy the film. And he does. Having done most of his work on German television Betterman is up to the task of carrying the film.

Along with Betterman's performance, the director deserves kudos for going to Siberia to shoot much of the film on location. It is truly a beautiful place, at least when the weather isn't horrible. Gorgeous mountains, rivers and fields dot the film as we make the difficult journey towards freedom.

‘As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me’ is a powerful true story of the human spirit. The dedication and effort put forth by Forrell to return to his family is amazing. I also found the fact that many people in Soviet Russia were willing to help him to be inspiring. Even under the oppression of Stalin and the dangers of death or Gulag imprisonment, many individuals endangered themselves to help this lonely man. It is wonderful that people can find others to help in their most desperate hours. A testament to the depth of the feeling of humanity.

Side note: Much of the film is in German with subtitles. However, parts are in other languages like Russian or Persian. The Director deliberately left out any subtitles to help convey the sense of confusion and loneliness that must have been felt.