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Filmography

Human Race (1997)

1 hour documentary for National Geographic, ZDF and ABC

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The Human Race is a compelling adventure documentary, set in the Kimberley Region, an ancient, remote and spectacular landscape in North Western Australia. Three men race each other in a test of endurance, survival skills and tenacity as they walk more 500 kilometres from the edge of a meteorite crater in the middle of a sun-scorched desert to the tropical coast.

The Human Race tells the story of: an Australian Aboriginal elder in his seventies who travels with little more than his Dreamtime knowledge and traditional bush skills; a German survival expert, famous throughout Europe, who, at sixty one, still spends his life testing himself to the limit of human endurance; and an American ultra marathon runner in his mid-thirties who attempts to get the winning edge by using today's advanced technology.

The competitors' only mode of transport is by foot. They walk for four weeks over endless red plateaus, through needle sharp spinifex, over rugged mountains, across dangerous water courses and deserts - through some of the world's most inhospitable terrain.

While the event is billed as a competition in the tradition of the 'eco challenge' and 'ultra marathon', it is a 'race' with a difference. Each competitor is required to make the distance surviving off the land, finding his own food and water as best he can.

The drama unfolds on an extremely personal level, showing not only the daunting physical challenge but also the strain on the competitors' psychological stamina. All three men are tested to the limit.

The Human Race is an adventure documentary with a difference. Filmed on 16mm film by three crews, it is a major documentary special. One of the highest rating independently made documentaries screened by ABC in 1997.

Awards:
Triumph of the Spirit Award, 1997 Mountainfilm Festival, Telluride, USA.
Peoples' Choice Award, BANFF International Mountain and Adventure Film Festival.
Best Cinematography, Non-Feature Film, 1997 Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards.
Special Mention of the Jury for Great Human Sportsmanship, 1997 Festival International du Film Maritime et d'Exploration.
Finalist, Adventure Category, 9th International Mountain & Adventure Filmfestival Graz (Austria).