I watched two spectacular movies on my long
Qantas flight from LA to Sydney: Tracks and All is Lost. Both had similar
themes – man’s intimate relationship with nature- and conveyed some important lessons
for leadership.
Tracks is based on the true story of the
1977 solo journey of “camel woman” Robyn Davidson across the vast Australian desert to the
Indian ocean with three camels and her beloved black dog Diggie. Robyn, a born
explorer, has the insatiable urge to make this expedition, however dangerous
and ludicrous it sounds. She just knows she has to do it – it’s her calling. She is aware of how hard her journey is,
but also knows that she is as prepared as she can be. She is well trained with
camels, is familiar with the deserts, but above all has a deep abiding love for
the land. Her journey is not to conquer,
but to thrive. There is no aggression here - just a realistic
assessment of both her terrain and her own abilities to traverse it.
The camel lady is stand offish to other
people, yet deeply cares for her animals (the scene where she pulls off her
skirt to create a shade for her dog while he waits for her is particularly
touching), and has a deep sense of respect for the aboriginals undoubtedly born
out their shared intimate relationship with nature. She makes the journey, and the last
scene of the vast blue ocean welcoming the weary travelers is astounding. There
is no cry of victory, just pure glee and gratitude at having made it. In a
subtle way the film also shows how the supreme loner, was nevertheless aided in
her journey through the love of others, be it the National Geographic photographer who leaves
water rations along her path, a stranger couple inviting her for the night, the
aboriginal chief who accompanies her for part of her journey.
The other – All is lost, was again a
spectacular piece of filmmaking. To begin with it has the supreme confidence
that the story of a lone man quietly dealing with the ocean will hold the
attention of the audience for over two hours. Agreed our man (as he is called
in the film; his name is never revealed) is Robert Redford, but it’s a Redford well-
worn by age, and not the swashbuckling cowboy of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance
kid. I completely agree with a reviewer who wrote that the film advertently or
inadvertently shows that the true character of a man is revealed when he is
faced with a crisis – in this case being marooned in a life raft after his
yacht drowns after being hit by a floating container. We get an intimate look
at man facing his death – yet he never panics. Redford is a
man undoubtedly with a lot of experience sailing - which he does for love
rather than as a profession. He wears a ring, yet travels solo in his yacht.
Since he says sorry to his family when he is marooned and sure to perish it
appears that he undertook these solo voyages for himself – perhaps against the
wishes of his loved ones.
It’s Redford’s attitude to his plight which
is awe inspiring in a deeply felt sort of way. He truly respects the vast
waters he is in, and understands it intimately. When his yacht sinks, his reaction is to survive come what may, but not in a
rebellious sort of way. As in Tracks, his aim is not to conquer but to thrive. He
tries to plot his position, tries to signal in vain to some passing ships, but
above all he just waits it out. Even in the chilling final scene, where he
inadvertently sets his raft on fire trying to attract the attention of a
passing boat and decides this is it – is a quiet submission to the power of
nature with a genuine understanding that he tried his best. And how he is
rewarded (spolier alert): the film ends with the deeply moving scene of a hand reaching out to
pull Redford to safety.
Both these films resonate with the same
strong message: follow your calling and acquire the skills for it. But when you do it with a deep sense of
respect for the powers beyond you, the world conspires to help you succeed.
No comments:
Post a Comment