As for the film, I am more like the later half part. In the beginning half, Fusher and his friend (I forgot his name) traveled on their motorcycle as the title referred. They enjoyed their running away from city life and heading for their planned destination with full speed (their motor was not so cooperative though). Passion and desire to fulfill their plan were demonstrated. They were like two horses unbound to free wild life. However, I sensed a big change when they were told their motor was no longer usable. They had to modify their plan; they decided to reach the destination on foot. An important decision. From here, they had their steps slow down and got enough time as well as opportunity to meet different people they cannot meet in their normal life. They met poor mine couples;indigenous people in the mountain area and more ordinary ones lived in the town scatted all over the South American continent. Communication with different people in different situations kept Fusher thinking. Here the film makers deliberately put these images of different people, more specifically those poor and underprivileged people into patterns resembling black and white photos, flashing on the screen. What does this mean exactly? Anyway, from this special effect, I could feel the inner turbulence of Fusher. He could on longer find the inner peace when he saw so many people lived in life that was so different from his. He was in confusion and the most impressive part then appeared---they went to the leprosy island to help. It was during the two weeks on that island that Fusher was reflecting what he saw , what he felt, and what he wanted.He might make an important decision. But I was still surprised when he gave his birthday speech. Radical words like revolution and United America were heard and the hot-blooded swimming try seemed to be his oath to do what he planned to do afterwards. The final farewell was so touching that I could feel the complex emotion pervading the foggy air. I believe the comparatively long narration of what Fusher and his friend did on the leprosy island embraces more information than I could perceive.I believe the comparatively long narration of what Fusher and his friend did on the leprosy island embraces more information than I could perceive.I believe the comparatively long narration of what Fusher and his friend did on the leprosy island embraces more information than I could perceive.
I would also like to say something about the comparison with Fusher's super honest and directness to his friend's selfishness and sophistication (a good guy, though). The later often played jokes on Fusher but the long journey was more or less seasoned by his sense of humor and kind jests. They traveled with the same ideal and had several months of their life interweaved. Although Fusher chose a totally different direction from his friend after, their friendship was established during the traveling. Just as a pop song says: A part of me has always been with you. Whatever they went through later, the experience of traveling together was forever a part of each other's life.
Fusher's empathy for people made him closer to me. He seemed so powerful with humanity. I think I hold the same deep empathy for people. The huge difference lies in that he took action to fight for what he thought was right; I just keep thinking and struggling, but not clear how to make change. We lived in different ages and different countries, but we hold the same idealistic dream. So after watching this film, the first thing I want to do is to travel by myself to meet people, to feel, to decide. When I am still young I should do the things that will not be done when I grow older. I want to do, not just keep thinking. I love the words Fusher said to friend at the end of the film . Not remembering clearly, I suppose he said: something has changed; I keep thinking about these things. I am not me, at least I am not the same me….
If I named this film, I would prefer “How travel makes a man out of a boy”.
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