Les chemins de Compostelle

Nowadays we are constantly bombarded by disaster, horror and destruction on a daily basis. When I left the theatre after viewing "Walking the Camino" I was totally relaxed and felt that there was a greater purpose to life. As often happens to me, I had just finished reading a book by Paulo Coelho called "The Pilgrimage" where he describes his experiences on the trek to Santiago de Compostela. He had some pretty momentous stories to tell, so naturally I was extremely interested to find out that others have been doing this walk and also that a movie had been made about it.

What makes the movie work for me was that we follow the trek of various couples and individuals from all sorts of different ages, countries of origin and occupations. Without exception, they all seem to experience trans-formative events along their journey and are far more in tune with themselves and the world at the end of the journey. The excessive walking and exercise seems to clean out their system from physical and emotional junk and allows them to appreciate the world that exists right in front of them on a NOW basis. Filming the end of the walk must have been really tough for the film maker, because all the subjects were so emotional about what they had been through and experienced.

This was very well done! The photography, the six main people followed, the music, the mood -- all were well-edited, directed, and produced. It shows the full range of the Camino experience: the internal thoughts, the spiritual insights, the physical strains, the solace of nature, the weather, the new friends made, and the sharing with others of all ages and from all countries. In many aspects, I enjoyed this documentary a little bit more than the commendable Camino film "The Way." (I did the last 200 mile portion to Santiago with my two best friends in 2005, and heartily encourage everyone to give it a try...) This film will truly inspire you. Buen Camino!

Sioux Holy Man, Black Elk said, "The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes from within the souls of men when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe…and that its center is within each of us." Lydia Smith's documentary Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago follows six pilgrims from different parts of the world in their attempt to discover that center. The 500-mile trek to Santiago de Compostela Camino in Spain has been undertaken in the past by St. Francis of Assisi, Charlemagne, Ferdinand and Isabella, Dante, and Chaucer (and Shirley MacLaine), and has become a big part of Europe's tourist industry with thousands of travelers from every religion and walk of life completing the walk each year.

Beginning in St. Jean Pied de Port, France, the path, beautifully photographed by cinematographer Pedro Valenzuela, crosses cities, small villages where cows meander in the center of the road, highways, mountains, and fields en route to Santiago. Wayne is an Episcopal priest from Canada who is undertaking the journey with his friend Jack to pay tribute to his wife who died four years ago. Sam has battled with clinical depression and looks to the trek to discover a renewed sense of self. Annie is an American who develops tendinitis and is forced to slow down, a welcome opportunity for reflection. Tatiana from France has brought along her three year old son Cyrian "to learn many things that he couldn't at home."

The boy's presence strains an existing family relationship with her brother Alexis, however. During the walk, a tentative friendship blossoms into a relationship between Misa and William. "I'm just trying not to figure out why. I'm just supposed to enjoy it," she says. Tomás, from Portugal, like many others, has to deal with foot blisters, a painful knee injury, and changes in the weather that slow the trek. With everything stripped away, they rediscover their ability to transform their life. "The mask disappears, and you transform into yourself," one man says. All struggle to some degree with physical and emotional difficulties along the way but discover that the profound connection which exists in community becomes stronger when you are hungry or hurt and tired but are determined to keep going together.

This is a very pleasant viewing experience! I bought the DVD and there are some excellent extras to go with the film, including an interview with the film's creator Lydia Smith. On watching this you realize the long journey and great effort in bringing this film into existence. Inspired by a Camino undertaken by the director in April and May 2008, it was filmed the following April and May 2009, but took until 2013 before it was released. I have the Camino on my 'to do' list but you don't have to be a walker to enjoy it, it contains much human interest. As a potential Camino walker I must admit there are some good tips here, travel light (dump the sleeping bag, and perhaps take a bivvi bag for emergencies), and take care of your feet! Highly recommended viewing.

Having done the Camino in 2019 and now suffered FOMO due to the Covid pandemic of 2020 , it has been a time to reflect on many things, including and especially how fortunate I was to have done the Camino just prior to a global lockdown.

My understanding is that the 6 people selected were chosen at the time of filming and not limited to just the 6 and the others are on a bonus DVD if you but this documovie.

But certainly a great, and diverse selection of people who really bring the experience to life. Beautifully edited with some sublime videography, you will truly appreciate this if you have done the Camino OR, even better, if you are going to still experience it. I would then recommend you watch this a few times so images can crystalize in your mind. It will not spoil the actual experience as the journey will always be personal to you.

Definitely worth the watch.