On Sept 19th, the Whitsell Auditorium at the Portland Art Museum opened its doors to a crowd of over 380 for the first rough cut screening of The Camino Documentary. Eager audience members included hikers from local Meetup groups, past and future pilgrims from the Portlandia chapter of American Pilgrims, film aficionados, and, most importantly, plenty of the generous donors who have helped make the possibility of a rough cut into a reality.
Unfortunately for many would-be audience members, the demand exceeded the supply and some 150 people were turned away at the door. Although they were disappointed, this is good news for The Camino Documentary as it means there is more and more support from the public in seeing this project through to completion.
Viewers were encouraged to submit feedback on the film at the end of the night. Reading all of those positive comments is simultaneously humbling and encouraging; a filmmaker never knows if the message the audience will glean from her film is the one that she intended to convey but the film hit its mark. Here are some comments from the audience:
Wow, every moment was a treat!
A central aim in life is finding one’s path … finding meaning in our existence. The film brilliantly showed this search through the stories of its characters.
Such an inspiring film. It is amazing to watch the transition and rebirth of the pilgrims. You captured every human emotion beautifully.
I like the documentary very much and I think it resembles and gives you a very true picture of life on the Camino.
As if that wasn’t enough excitement for one week, the post production team went right back to work after the screening in order to have a more polished cut ready to submit to the Sundance Film Festival. On October 12th, Director/Producer Lydia B. Smith will be in Williamsburg, VA to present the second screening of the rough cut. If you’re in the area, make sure to get to the theater early! If you can’t make it to the Virginia screening, click on the red envelope at the top of our home page to sign up for our email updates. It’s the best way to hear about additional screenings as they are announced.
Bottom row: Evan, Luz, Beth, Lydia, Chad, Brian
Camino Post-Production Staff
U.S.A.
Wonderful achievement; best of luck to all the team and here’s to Sundance Film Festival!
Thrilled for you and it just looks like the energy is building.Have a fabulous time .
Dear Lydia & Team…Thank you very much for allowing us the view the first rough cut of The Camino Documentary. Every single frame was beautiful & inspiring as you captured the glories, both of the joyful sheer ecstasy to the demanding physical difficulties, of this ancient pilgrimage. It’s amazing many pilgrims begin without any expectations, but upon reaching the final destination at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, their lives had been rewarded with a spiritual contentment which changes the coarse of their lives.
As you mentioned you originally followed 12 pilgrims and due to editing reasons, were down to 6 and possibly down to 5, I was wondering if there was anyone you know or met that are purely participating in the Camino solely for atonement of their past sins? Are there many pilgrims chanting on rosary? Chanting the Lord’s name with each and every step? I was a little disappointed there was no mention of the traditional religion aspects of the Camino (though nicely described on your website) or a small description synopsis of when one of your characters entered a Church along the way. Only Tatian mentions her goal was to become closer to God, as the other persons were searching for personal reasons (or no reason at all) where God wasn’t externally acknowledged.
It would be sad to cut any of the characters out of the film, but it’s understood. Since you have to cut about 15 minutes or so, is it possible to cut a little bit of each character instead of someone completely?
And just for the natural scenic point-of-view, viewing the documentary felt like being right there on the Camino. Each and every step is still very crisp. If for some reason or other, if Fate doesn’t allow me to participate in the Camino, at least I did by viewing your film. I’m totally fulfilled. Thank you.
With warmth & love,
jaya vijaya