Free screening! North American Premiere!

One hot July morning, Mihai Barbu jumps in the saddle of his trusted friend, Doyle, says goodbye to friends and loved ones, and embarks on a long journey. The film is long too, but don't get intimidated by its three-hour running time. Constructed almost entirely from still photos masterfully synchronized with audio commentaries, this challenging and hypnotic documentary tells the story of an adventurous one-man motorcycle expedition into the depths of the Russian Federation and far beyond into Mongolia. It's challenging because it's less a classic documentary and more a careful exploration of various media, making first-time director Bogdan Ilie-Micu’s enterprise closer to Chris Marker's La Jetee than to National Geographic. It's a hypnotic achievement, mostly because of Barbu's inherent charisma; his genuine sense of humour and wonder when faced with otherworldly landscapes and foreign cultures is something that anyone can understand and resonate with deeply.