Facing the Falls

Presented by the Clintons (Chelsea and Hillary) and available via YouTube, this documentary is an affirmation of the human spirit, a film genre I greatly admire. The activist is truly inspiring, as we get to see Cara Elizabeth Yar Khan's 2018 conquest of the Grand Canyon, overcoming the challenges presented by her chronic physical illness diagnosed in her 30s. The half-hour movie by director Celia Aniskovich treats the subject with respect, which it clearly deserves.

With Cara narrating her own story, we also hear from the people who helped her in her quest, an expedition where she would cross the Grand Canyon on horseback and then by raft along the Colorado River, despite her severe physical limitations.

Her career representing the United Nations around the world as far as Haiti and Angola to help advocate for people with disabilities is at the heart of this project, not some ego trip or stunt. I was reminded of the adventurous documentaries of Werner Herzog, especially "Little Dieter Needs to Fly" and "The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner". But without the imposition of Herzog's own personality onto the subject matter at hand - a more objective approach. But like Herzog, avoiding physical danger is never an option for Cara.

It's a 12-day, 182-mile journey for Cara, the most difficult being a 10-hour descent helpless on horseback down steep trails to the Canyon floor. We see highpoints of her riding the white water rapids, which look extremely dangerous (and are). For safety reasons (for everyone's sake, not just Cara's), the team opts to cross the most dangerous Lava Falls by motor boat, and I was glad for that decision. Even so, the team barely escapes suffering a fatality here, followed by Cara ending her journey rowing her own kayak.

With majestic views of the Grand Canyon as backdrop, this is a worthwhile trip to take, vicariously like me on my trusty couch.