The North

A feature-length adventure drama written and directed by Bart Schrijver and starring Bart Harder and Carles Pulido.

An English-speaking Dutch production that was filmed in the Scottish Highlands. Estranged friends Chris (Harder) and Lluis (Pulido) reunite and decide to go hiking for a month in the Scottish Highlands via the West Highland Way and the Cape Wrath Trail, with the intention of reaching Cape Wrath and in hope of rebuilding their friendship. However, dramatic complications will unstable things between them.

This slow-burn film does not rely on the narrative in order to have an impact, rather, it focuses on character development and the relationship between Chris and Lluis. Through long takes and establishing shots and without any music, the viewer follows the two men as they go through their outdoor adventure, walking through mountains and several inhabited locations, sleeping in a tent, catching up and meeting other travellers. Schrijver's directing is an aspect that adds massive value. He creates many fantastic shots that reveal the beauty of the Scottish countryside and are supported by Twan Peeters' cinematography. Whether the camera is still or moving, the frame captures magnificent images of nature, making this feature a pleasure to watch from start to finish.

The fact that the pace is slow would not had been an issue had it not been for the lengthy duration. The slow storytelling, that takes its time to move the plot forward is an effective way to explore the characters and acknowledge the activity that they are doing: traveling through beautiful scenery. However, experiencing this for more than two hours might be overdoing it, making the film feel overlong.

Chris and Lluis have a bond between them, yet, they are quite different. Chris has a good job, a partner and hopes to have children one day. On the other hand, Lluis appears to lack direction in life and does not seem to be completely honest with Chris.

On the surface, this is a story about hiking, camping and exploring nature. More deeply, it explores self-reflection, friendship, isolation and dishonesty.

An outdoor adventure with a lot of drama. Some viewers might disapprove of the slow pace. Nevertheless, Schrijver's directing and the themes make this feature an achievement that deserves recognition.