The British Backpacker Society: Across the Sahara

The British Backpacker Society is on a mission. Uninspired by the ease with which gap-year ‘travellers’ slip into a routine and simply visit, as a herd, the same destinations in a well-worn circus, they wanted to break the deadlock. The society — rather than being a giant Facebook group with thousands of followers and wholesome ‘meet ups’ every few weeks — is actually three chums from Dorset. They are only in their early 20s but rigorously visit the places that the Foreign Office discourages as holiday destinations. They travel only on public transport and expect to never meet a single other European on their jaunts. This film follows them pushing into the interior of The Islamic Republic of Mauritania as far as is possible without convoy support! Totally goofy and a true breath of fresh air.

FIVE MINUTES WITH MICHAEL WORRAL

ATFF:

Hello, not long now till this summer’s Adventure Travel Film Festival. We are so excited to be sharing so many fantastic films this year. Lets start with a quick summary of yours, what’s it about?

Michael:

After many adventures around the globe, Michael L Worrall and Samuel Joynson of the British Backpacker Society decide that they’re going to try and have a normal, relaxing holiday in the Costa Del Sol. However, when the only weather Marbella has to offer is abysmal rain, the two decide to venture south, hoping that Africa will provide a bit of sun. Starting in Morocco and journeying through the Western Saharan Territories, the backpackers explore Mauritania and pass into Senegal. On the way they experience excellent food and people, endure an excruciatingly long bus journey and jump into a truck on an iron ore train heading into the Sahara.

ATFF:

How did the film come about? Was it something that you’ve always been interested in?

Michael:

The British Backpacker Society have been on many adventures, always capturing our journeys on the smart phones we had on us. However, with this journey we decided that not only would it be an exciting travel experience, but that we should set out with the intention of making a film to show our friends and families back home. We could show that the places which we visit, that often garner sceptical looks from non-travellers, are actually good fun, filled with good people, and, most importantly, that with a bit of research anyone could go on an adventure like ours.

ATFF:

This years films have spanned oceans mountains, glaciers… a huge range of environments. What challenges did you face in making yours?

Michael:

When you’re out in the desert, inside an iron ore truck and there’s sand, dust and grit buffeting you, you have your health to worry about, but also your film kit. Would our cameras still work in such conditions? How would we charge our phones? Where does one exactly go to the toilet when travelling for hours in an iron ore truck? A lot of the time we were going on limited information we had managed to acquire over the web and hope that our faith in the goodness of people across the globe would be rewarded.

ATFF:

Is there anything that you would like audiences to take away from your film?

Michael:

Our adventures, both crossing the Sahara and our experiences travelling in the rest of the world, have shown us that people are fundamentally good. The British Backpacker Society is of the opinion that a more connected world is a better world and we hope that, after watching our film you will be encouraged to go, travel and bring the world closer together.

ATFF:

We have lots of people come to the festival who aspire to future film makers. Do you have any advice?

Michael:

If you are going to make a film, do some planning before your trip. Know the story you want to tell, what is the key message and where you think the high points of the story will come. But also be ready to adapt to the moment. Anything can happen when you are travelling and being savvy about how to make the accidents, disasters and unexpected detours work in your final film is key to success.

ATFF:

Are you coming to this years festival? How can audiences find out more and connect with you?

Michael:

Yep, the British Backpacker Society have been at the festival for the last few years and will certainly be there this year. You can find out more about all our adventures on our regularly updated Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/BritishBackpackerSociety/

And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @britishbackpackersociety

ATFF:

Thanks, we can’t wait to share the films this year!

More films: