Against the Wind
a motorcycle odyssey
Written, Directed, Produced
by Jan Nowell
It is said that
before entering the sea
a river trembles
with fear
She looks back
at the path
she has travelled
from the peaks
of the mountains
the long windy road
crossing the forests
and villages
And in front of her
she sees an ocean
so vast
that to enter
seems nothing more
than to disappear
forever
But there is
no other way
The river
cannot go back
Nobody can go back
to go back
is impossible
in existence
The river needs
to take the risk
of entering
the ocean
because only then
will fear disappear
Because that is
the moment
where the river
will know
it’s not about
disappearing
into the ocean
but of becoming
the ocean
Synopsis
Against the Wind: A Motorcycle Odyssey is a captivating tale of self-interrogation, challenging cultural preconceptions and celebrating the power of human connection.
Discontent with the relentless pursuit of material success and self-interest Jan embarks on a solitary motorbike ride across the breathtaking but treacherous Himalayas.
It is a poignant and visually stunning film that follows Jan, a woman seeking refuge from the suffocating grip of a culture obsessed with digital dominance and human disconnection. Her journey becomes a powerful exploration of self-discovery against a sharp critique of modern Western individualism.
As she immerses herself in the raw beauty of the world’s highest mountain range, Jan is challenged by the physical and psychological extremes navigating rough terrain, high altitude, illness and the relentless fear and confrontations of extreme danger.
This transformational journey forces her to confront an empty void in the life she has left behind, a life defined by the trappings of the individual pursuit of material wealth and the desperate need for safety. Driven by a romanticised notion of freedom and empowerment, she plunges into a world far richer and more complex than she anticipated.
Treatment
The film masterfully weaves together Jan’s internal struggle with the awe-inspiring landscapes and the profound wisdom of the local Indian women who challenge her perception of freedom, revealing the true strength and interconnectedness of community and a collective mindset.
Against the backdrop of rapid advances in artificial intelligence, Against the Wind prompts us to question the very essence of our existence and the kind of world we want to live in, making it a truly timely and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
Jan’s preconceived notions of freedom are challenged and ultimately transformed through her interactions with the local women. Through a series of interviews local woman use their own voices to talk on topics of community, cohesive collaboration and interconnected family.
Early in the film, Jan likely holds a more individualistic view of freedom, associating it with independence, self-reliance, and the ability to pursue personal desires without constraint.
However, as she spends time with the women in the villages, she encounters a radically different perspective. These women inhabit a culture that prioritises collective well-being, emphasising the strength and support found within close-knit relationships and extended family networks. Each womans understanding of freedom is rooted in belonging, interdependence, and the security that comes from shared responsibility. Their interpretation of Jan’s journey is at times challenging and beyond comprehension. A women riding a bike presents a scenario that puts her life and the life of the collective in danger.
The contradictions arise as Jan witnesses the functionality and fulfillment these women derive from their interwoven lives. She begins to question whether her own pursuit of individual freedom has inadvertently led to isolation and a lack of genuine connection. The women’s lives reveal that true freedom for them, might not be about escaping obligations but about embracing them within a supportive community.
Jan’s journey becomes one of reconciling these conflicting ideas, ultimately leading her to a more nuanced and holistic understanding of what it means to be free. In a population of 1.4 billion people the question is raised: what are the many differences that lie behind the surface of their co-habitation.
the sizzle
Alone and vulnerable in the unforgiving mountains, Jan faces the harsh elements and a storm of introspection. Haunted by the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas, she reflects on her arduous journey to the summit. Her physical and mental endurance is pushed to its limits as she grapples with exhaustion and the thin mountain air.
Yet, amidst the chaos, she finds solace in the quiet moments, pondering the motivations behind her relentless pursuit of adventure. As she delves deeper into the unforgiving desolate landscape, she confronts not only the physical challenges but also the emotional turmoil that arises from her isolation.
The silence of the mountains amplifies the noise of her thoughts, forcing her to confront the true motivation behind her adventure. She reflects on her journey, the motivations that drove her, and the meaning she sought in her ride across India.
Characters
Jan Nowell
Jan's journey through Rajasthan began with a chance encounter meeting Candida and Anita. As a photographer and filmmaker with a passion for storytelling, Jan's journey seamlessly blended her love for adventure, meeting new people, and exploring uncharted territories. India, a land of striking cultural and religious diversity and formidable physical challenges, became the perfect backdrop for her transformative journey.
Jan's mission was to challenge the negative stereotypes often perpetuated by the media. Through her intimate lens, she sought to capture the stories of innovation and resilience, offering a fresh perspective that defied preconceived notions about the country and its people.
photographer, writer, director, producer, adventure rider & storyteller
Anita Krishna
adventure rider
Anita is one of two professional female moto guides in India. Born into a traditional Hindu family she has broken the stereotype of cultural expectations and sort her career as a highly respected guide of international riders seeking an experience of India on two wheels.
“It’s very liberating when you are on a motorcycle. I love to be the hero of my own movie. I don’t think anything else can connect so much, like the way we connect on a motorcycle and with everything around us. All your senses are switched on. Riding for me is like a meditation. “
Candida Louis
adventure rider
“My love for motorcycles began in infancy. My parents would take me for evening rides, and the motion soothed me, especially when I was teething. As I grew older, those rides sparked my imagination, making me feel like a bird, free to fly.
That love became all-consuming. I sacrificed everything to keep riding. My village ostracized me, and even my family, because I spent so much time with boys on bikes. Despite this, at 23, I became the first woman to circumnavigate India solo on a motorcycle. Since then, I've ridden across the globe and remain one of only two professional female motorcycle guides in India.
Haunted by the beauty that surrounds her, Jan reflects on her encounters with the extraordinary women of India. As she pushes herself to the edge, hope dwindles, and physical exhaustion sets in. With each passing moment, the stakes rise. As the dwindling hope of finding the key and the uncertainty of her future cast a shadow over her determination the question becomes profound: What truly matters in the face of potential oblivion? Jan's fight against the unforgiving mountain becomes a metaphor for her inner struggle. Will she emerge from this ordeal transformed, or will the mountain claim her as its own?