RUNNING AGAINST THE WIND

Ethiopian/Germany, 2019, 116 minutes, Colour.

Ashenafi Nigusu, Mikias Wolde, Joseph Reta Belay, Samrawit Desalegn.

Directed by Jan Philipp Weyl.

The setting is Ethiopian, the vast countryside, the desert countryside, and life in Addis Ababa, especially in the slum neighbourhoods, as well as in the world of sport, training, running, and preparation for the Olympics.

The film has been written and directed by German, Jan Philipp Weyl, who also appears later in the film as the photographer, Paul.

The audience is introduced to this Ethiopian atmosphere by focusing on two little boys, their play together, friendship, competitiveness. A visitor, a white man, comes to visit the town, bringing his camera with him, taking photos of all the people, life in the town, letting one of the boys take photos relishing photography, and kindling him a lifelong ambition. When the boy’s father dies, he goes to live with the family of his friend – but, with a visit from the man with the camera, he steals the camera and runs away to the capital.

There is a transition to life in Addis Ababa – with vast vistas of the modern city as well as the squalor of the slums. Now grown-up, we still has his camera but cleanses broken, the treasure in the ageing photo of himself and his friend. He is now married, a baby girl – and with flashbacks of his memories of befriending the boys in the streets and meeting the girl now his wife.

The film is quite vivid in its presentation of the gangs, criminal activity, stealing cars, and the dangers of the ruthless leaders, leading to his wife taking the baby way and going to live with her mother.

The other part of the story is more hopeful, the boy becoming a run, chosen to go to the city, his training, his success with the coaches, winning a medal, feted by the press. But, all the while, he wants to find his friend, continuing the search, assaulted by a drunken criminal, close friend of Solomon, eventually tracking him down, a reunion.

While the athlete has all kinds of possibilities, even for the Olympics, his friend seems to have few prospects, by the boss of the criminal gang. But, the athlete helps him with his rubbish collection, persuades the sports coach to take him on as roustabout – but, his ability with the camera emerging, possibilities of exhibiting, going to galleries, meeting a photographer, Paul, who encourages him.

There is an ultimate confrontation with the criminals, but, hopeful for the two, the photography and, with the runner, a decision whether he wants to be few the professional world or return home.

1. A film from Ethiopia, the director, European background, feel for Ethiopian, the writing, his appearance as Paul in the film?
2. The visuals of the country, the countryside, its vastness, the village? The views of Addis Ababa? Vast and modern? The contrast with the outskirts, the slums, the property? The musical score?
3. The introduction to the two boys, playing together, friendship, competitiveness, the visit of the cameraman, the delight of the people with the photos, the impact on Solomon, his father’s death, going to live with Andy, the visit of the man with the camera, stealing it, running away to the city?
4. Solomon in the city, the homeless children, the gangs, stealing, surviving, camaraderie? The young girl? The transition to his growing up, married, the daughter, the home? Yet his being forced by the gang leader to be a slave, obeying orders, stealing? The episode of stealing the mirror, of stealing the van, the reckless driving, the crash, overturned, burning the van? Symbol of the way of life?
5. Andi, his skill in running, chosen to go to the city, the training, the coaches, the other men, the prospect of the Olympics, the running, his being a pacer? His achievement, the victory, awkwardness at the press conference? His desire to find Solomon, searching, questioning, being bashed by Solomon’s friend, the hospital? His finding Solomon, the reunion?
6. Solomon, the gangs, the viciousness of the leader, slavery? Solomon’s wife leaving with the baby? Yet his devotion to the baby, carrying his daughter on the rubbish rounds? Andi then helping him with the rubbish? Speaking to the coach, getting the job at the club, his work, looked down on by the player the runners?
7. The photography, the camera, photographing the team, getting a reputation, his photos, going to galleries, Andy and the photo shoot for the condom and, the poster, Solomon not wanting this kind of photography, going to the Gallery, amazed at the photos, the encounter with Paul, collaboration with Paul, and the dangers?
8. Solomon, building his house, the hopes, the leader of the gang, the confrontation, the destruction of the house?
9. Solomon, reunited with his wife, the possibilities of a future with photography? Andi, Limited, running, but the question of the commitment to the Olympics?
10. The finale, the car, driving away from Addis Ababa, into the future?