FILM : RIDING THROUGH THE DARK
It’s so immersive… the only thing you can focus on is the ‘now’
“The Tarmac rushing under your wheels… the whoosh of air on your face, sloshing tyres and just noticing the world around you differently”
Riding Through the Dark aims to shine a light on the heroism of ordinary people and the ordinariness of people who can be perceived as heroic, as they use cycling, especially cycling as part of a group, in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, to get through periods of mental darkness. The film depicts intimate moments with a range of incredibly inspiring women who show how even very different journeys by bike can shape journeys of the mind.
Riding through the Dark features athletes of the Adventure Syndicate – including Lee Craigie and Emily Chappell – as they do their record-breaking 36-hour North Coast 500 ride, as well as participants of the Velocity Cycle to Health programme.
We all had to draw strength from each other in different ways
Riding through the Dark was made in association with The Adventure Syndicate, a not-for-profit organisation that use the inspiring stories of women adventuring by bike to encourage others to push their perceived limitations. They use the written word, talks, films, podcasts, informal rideouts, training camps and skills courses in order to not only inspire people but to practically encourage and enable them to take on their own challenges.
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CONTRIBUTOR
Katrina Brown
Katrina Brown is a documentary filmmaker with a passion for making visible untold stories about the land, the outdoors, healthy minds and bodies, and the challenges and heroism of ordinary life. She specialises in the many worlds of cycling and bringing to light unusual and lesser-appreciated perspectives, particularly the experiences of women. With a hallmark of emotional honesty, her work exemplifies the relevance and power of film to shine a light on sometimes sensitive subjects and has created award-winning films that have captured the public consciousness and sparked debate.
Katrina made her first film in 2008 when she took on the challenge of the Kendal Adventure Film Academy 48hr Film Marathon, together with friend Rachel Dilley. The 2-minute film ‘Ride Like a Girl’, featuring mountain biker Tracy Moseley and adventurer Pauline Sanderson, was shown at the film festival and proved to be the initiation of fire that lit Katrina’s inspiration to make the films she wanted to see but could seldom find. She has been developing her skills and experience ever since, and most recently was selected to participate in the Scottish Documentary Institute’s Bridging the Gap program 2016/17.
