In an era where everything seems to be 3D or HD it is refreshing to go and see a movie that is all about the depths of the human heart and what it takes to “live a life” rather than just having one.
When I first heard that Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen were shooting a movie about the El Camino de Santiago, an ancient 800km pilgrimage trail across Northern Spain I was elated, as I have been a pilgrim since my first Camino back in 2001.
I am the first one to admit that today’s “Hollywood” is not to my liking. I like old-time Hollywood and movies that delve into the human character not special effects, explosions, oversized guns in undersized heartthrobs so to see “The Way” was a welcomed film.
There are thousands of pilgrims from around the world who have taken this journey, some find that the film is not about the Camino but a story of some strangers that became friends, however, even the best director, screenwriter, writer or photographer would find it impossible to describe the Camino de Santiago as it is one path, true, but thousands upon thousands of experiences, each as unique as the individual pilgrim yet one thing remains true, all of our lives were changed by it.
I had the pleasure of seeing a screening of “The Way” and I loved it. You do not need to be an old pilgrim nor know much about the Camino to enjoy the film. If you are a pilgrim who is familiar with the Camino you will recognize some scenery that is out-of-order. This is a movie which follows certain cinematic rules and not necessarily a documentary or a visual travel log.
The movie captured wonderfully the spirit of the Camino, the deep friendships that are developed among people who sometimes don’t even share the same language let alone culture, the harmony of walking, the synchronicity among our “Camino family”, the snoring in the big albergues, the analogy of the crazy characters -of which there are a few I can assure you-, the longing for some of the comforts of home (like taking a bath), games played on the meseta, the attachment we develop with our walking sticks, finding a deep spiritual well within us with God, as we understand him, as our beacon of light, the awe and wonder of standing in front of the cathedral and then going inside humbled and grateful for the experience. More importantly, how so many of us have been changed by the experience that we cannot nor do we want to go back to the way we lived life before.
As a Catholic, the movie touched me deeply with emotions ranging from laughter to getting emotional in some scenes. On my journeys, I have met many who started reneging of God and everything religious and ending in Santiago discovering their spirituality and being open to the presence of something so much bigger than them. I have yet to meet a pilgrim who has not attended the pilgrim mass and has not been touched by the Camino, by the inner journey. A fond memory I have is of a dear Camino friend who bowed before the Crucifix at O Cebreiro after having started denying all presence of God. “Your faith has taught me that perhaps is worth believing in what I don’t need to understand to believe in.” And as far as saints are concerned, the Apostle James (Santiago) has become my good ol’ buddy Jimmy.
I do not know much of Mr. Sheen’s nor Mr. Estevez’s lives except what is unavoidable to find on the press lining up the stands at the supermarket’s checkout line. What I do know is that it took a tremendous amount of courage to tackle a subject like they did on “The Way” … reconciliation, forgiveness of others and self, a connection to something bigger than ourselves, to let go of a painful past filled with expectations and disappointments, come to terms with our shortcoming and defects of character and to put on the screen the depths of the human heart….
In today’s entertainment industry standards, these guys are “superheroes” with no need of guns or special effects to show courage and strength in the midst of being at their most vulnerable.
Much has changed since my first Camino back in 2001 and will continue changing but the Camino will remain like it has for so many centuries.
Go and see this wonderful movie -“The Way”- and put walking the Camino de Santiago on your bucket list”
For those interested to know more about the Camino, check out from the incredibly talented Lydia B. Smith, to see and experience the Camino through the eyes of a pilgrim.
I appreciate all the support you give to finishing this extraordinary documentary as I have never seen anything like it, for more information please go to www.thecaminodocumentary.org For those who are seeking a special experience and may not have the time or need more assistance, check out Judy at www.spanishsteps.com ,for Camino chat Deborah Schaben’s podcast at www.IPilgrimPodcast.com and if you would like to get more information you can do it through American Pilgrims at
http://www.americanpilgrims.com/ There are also a number of blogs and pages you can Google.
As for me, once a pilgrim, always a pilgrim. Ultreia and Buen Camino!
Peace and all good.
You can follow Emilio Estevez’s The Way on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/TheWayTheMovie or on Facebook
The Camino Documentary www.thecaminodocumentary.org
IPilgrimPodcast www.Ipilgrimpodcast.com
Spanish Steps www.spanishsteps.com
And the wonderful Ivar Rekve who has provided us pilgrims from around the world with a fabulous forum that we may talk, share tips, stay in touch … Best cyber pilgrim café in the world! Thank you Ivar!
http://www.caminodesantiago.me
You can also find everyone on Facebook!
