Two childhood friends that embark on different paths is a tried and tested narrative path. Here two young best friends who heard goats by day in their native Ganda Abdi end up branching apart. One Abdi Getachew (Ferhane Beker young then Ashenafi Nigusu older) has dreams of being a long distance runner following in the footsteps of the great Ethiopian runner Haile Gebreselassie (who appears in the film). The other Solomon Terefa (Alamudin Abduselam then Mikias Wolde) is more restless moving inas a youth with Abdi after his father passes away. Solomon discovers he has a knack for photography then disappears off to Addis Ababa without a plan ending up on the streets, begging and stealing developing into a full-blown street boy.
German Director Jan Philipp Weyl has shot in other parts of the world before and is comfortable conversing in multiple languages. With Running Against the Wind he wanted to show multiple facets of Ethiopian society similar to the track of his next project Buena Vista Chicho shooting in Cuba. The narrative moves deep into the guts of the seediest portions of the capital city spending meaningful time with those that try to survive on the fringes. Solomon his wife Genet (Samrawit Desalegn) alongside crew mates Kiflom (Joseph Reta Belay and Joker (Sintayehu) occupy that segment of the population. Cinematographer Mateusz is particularly effective in training his lens on the goings on in notorious Chichinea where no one ventures to at night.
Mikias Wolde gives a nuanced performance as Solomon. He is trying to keep his family together by staying a few steps ahead and out of the direct line of fire from local boss Tatek, an intense wild eyed Sintayehu Arega. He collects garbage by day using his industrial sized wheelbarrow stealing at night when forced to by Tatek. Young Solomon Alamudin Abduselam is the other standout performance in the piece. He's struck by tragedy as a youngster, betrays the friend that takes an interest in him by showing him photography and abandons his village to fight for scraps in the big City.
Running Against The Wind is a take on Ethiopia that shows both the best and worst elements of the country; side by side. Long distance running is its staple. The training methods are at the top of the field. Sponsorship is strong and recognition for a runner great if successful. But others also struggle, especially in a big city like Addis Ababa. However, Weyl does showcase the capital as a thriving local setting that has the bright lights and a big city feel. It's a story helmed by someone who has obviously spent plenty of time in the country and has a great affection for its people and culture. It's a visit to a seldomly represented location that is worth a watch
*** Out of 4.
Running Against The Wind | Jan Philipp Weyl | Ethiopia/ Germany | 2019 | 116 Minutes.
Tags: Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Long Distance Running, Photography, Haile Gebrselassie, Street Boys, Stealing Cars.
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