Exile by Choice

Exile by Choice documents a modern-day, post-war, neo-hobo of our time, 'Roaming Bear'. Experienced traveler Connor ('Bear') and rookie train-hopper, Mikey, escape the mundane suburbs of Chicago looking for some truer sense of freedom. Following the American tradition of wandering the country, these young vagabonds hit the road, hopping trains, hitchhiking, skateboarding, performing music and dumpster diving their way around.

The film is a rarity. A street culture is documented that most sparsely see, and you begin to realize: yes, hobos and gypsies still do exist! We are granted access to the lifestyle of 'Roaming Bear', with his words, experiences and original soundtrack painting the film with heart and charm.

The narrative is reminiscent of the Seattle streetkids from 'Streetwise', while carrying the philosophies of the 'Beat's' and 'Hippies'. Unlike many streetkids, the subjects choose this lifestyle, despite comfortable backgrounds. It contains that youthful idea of just leaving home and exploring ones country. With a little resourcefulness and kindness one can go a long way. It is a true glimpse into the modern skamps and rucksack explorers of today.

A blend of first and third person cinematography, you are fully immersed in the train yards, the dilapidated shacks, the redwoods of California, the bayou of New Orleans, the rainforest of the Pacific Northwest, with stunning imagery. We meet many eccentric characters along the way. The skid row drunks in New Orleans eating hobo stew, colorful wanderers, stoned hippies of Northern California and all shades in between.

Exile by Choice, explores the question; can one be happy soberly? Can one coexist in this country without the creature comforts, without much money, and sustain a personal joy?

This is not just a film about the road. It also lets the viewer into the heart and homes of the subjects. Discussing the different motivations of leaving home and the concerned but tolerant families that allow their children leave the nest. It displays the tension of family, ones past and own personal solitude. Is there a balance of wander lust and family life? Sometimes only until your family is thousands of miles away do you miss them.

If you were ever curious of what it may be like to just leave home, hop on a train, and go wherever you please in the 21st century, this movie will show you the joy and peril of that imagined journey.

I thought "Exile by Choice" was great. Great, in the way watching "Lost Angels" is great, in the way reading William Vollmann is great. Great, like loosing your job. EbC documents a unique class, found, not only in America, but worldwide. Not class strictly defined by birth. But a class whose very aim, lies in pulling up and off that defining line and dangling somewhere in ether. These are the dreamers; but, dreamers that recognize dreaming is also a pejorative concept, so, they go where the wounds that birth dreams can walk around in the daylight, and maybe with the help of a myth, or a sobriety, or a perseverance, find meaning. I would recommend "Exile by Choice" to anyone that ever saw a train, and dreamed of striking out, to anyone, who at the mention of a foreign country goes weak in the knees, or to teachers, my niece, worried parents, or whoever felt the pain of limitation. Who hasn't?

Very interesting and entertaining documentary. Cant imagine all the work that went into it behind the scenes. Growing up in the same suburbs of Illinois the feeling to escape is a familiar one and I remember hearing about Conor back in the day traveling all over the place. I can even remember listening to Jerome in the Sky on my space in a basement in Park City. Watching this documentary was especially interesting to me because i knew people behind as well as in front of the camera. Its very nice to see that all of their hard work has come together to create this great documentary. Its an incredible journey and story captured here definitely worth your time to watch. Its good to see why they travel and not just stories through the grapevine but an actual behind the scenes look at their chosen lifestyle.

This film was outstanding. In the span of just 70-something minutes, I truly empathized and sympathized with the two protagonists' struggles, learnings, and moments of pure joy. You don't always see characterization like that in a documentary work, so Conor and Mikey really deserve a lot of credit for opening up, being completely honest, and for letting the audience into their lives while they traveled the country. I love the message that this film spreads too: if you're not happy in your current situation, figure out what needs to be changed, and change it. Rewrite the system. Mikey felt like he was stuck in "The Burbs," like many adolescents often do, but guess what- he did something about it. He got up and left, and he went on a journey with someone who was nurturing, fun, and a great companion. They both met awesome and unique people along the way, as well. I highly recommend this film to anyone who has ever had that all too often existential crisis of "What am I doing here?" and "I need to change something up in my life."

I enjoyed this film! It was visually beautiful to watch, especially in the scenes on the train. What a gorgeous way to see the country. The juxtaposition of the two main guys was an interesting glimpse of different types of folks that choose this life, and displays their humanness rather than painting in broad strokes and stereotypes. The relationships they have with drugs and sober folks vs. non sober folks was also cool. Also the healthy relationship that Bear has with his family was sweet to witness. I want to hang out with Bear! This is a very original topic for a film. I hope this can clarify the draw of this type of travel and lifestyle to those outside of that culture. I also hope to see the film's distribution grow!