Trama

A newlywed runner loses everything at Africa's toughest race. A year later, struggling with oxygen and grief, she meets Coffin, a former African doctor who helps her train to race again and face her loss.

Africa's toughest race becomes her biggest test of faith. Newlyweds Mary and Matt celebrate Christmas, and their passion for running, with honeymoon tickets to Africa's ultimate footrace, The Furnace. Their excitement about racing together across the world's biggest animal reserve has them inspired. Then in a horrific flash, everything is gone--including Mary's purpose for living. A year later, Mary is grieving, struggling to breathe with an oxygen tank, and crying out her anger at God. A man standing nearby sees her suffering and shares his own story of loss: Once a doctor in Africa, he fled to America when civil war annihilated his town. Now known by the nickname Coffin, he digs graves after losing his practice. Coffin urges Mary to keep on believing, push through, and recover, offering his help as a doctor and friend. Over time Coffin's dedicated support and intense training helps Mary grow strong and live to run again. But what will it take for her to let go of her pain and loss when she finally enters The Furnace? From Oscar-nominated director Darrell Roodt, THE FURNACE, nominated for Best Feature Film at the Nice International Film Festival, is an Exploration Films release, available in October 2019.—Mari Schultz