A Map For Saturday

A great travel doco to get you excited to get back out there into the world.

A Map for Saturday is a great documentary about what it is like to travel and backpack your way around the world. It touches all of the main points of what backpackers and vagabonds go through while abroad. If you haven't heard of this movie then take a look at the trailer below and read on.

Brook hit all the marks of long term around the world travel. He introduces us to all of the amazing people you meet and addresses the feelings you have when you come off of this intense high of long term round the world backpacking.

The other aspect that really sold me on A Map for Saturday was how well it was produced for an independent travel doc. I expected shaky camera with poor composition and sloppy editing. This was very well produced, which the detective in me thinks has to do with Brook's profession as a TV Producer in New York.

At it's core this movie is about the essence of backpacker budget travel and how it affects the traveler. Through interviews with other worldly travelers and people who "get it", he shows us what goes on in the world of long term backpacking. The relationships, interactions, goodbyes and, of course, the return home.

The only down side of this movie is how hard it was to find. As of this posting you won't find it on Amazon, Netflix or any other regular channels for new and cool movies. I was only able to find it in my mailbox after throwing down the $20 for the DVD. Apparently MTV has aired it, but I work very hard for my money and simply can't justify paying money to get MTV in my home.

I have also read other reviews that offer criticism that he didn't talk enough about the local culture. I don't think this is a fair criticism, as this movie is about travelers, not locals. Watch Globe Trekker Travel Seriesif you want to hear about the locals. Watch A Map For Saturday if you want to learn about what it is like to be a traveler.

In my eyes, Brook de Silva has hit all of the marks and didn't miss a beat. While I know this glowing review makes me look like a doucher, keep in mind this movie hasn't changed my life, I just felt that I related to everything that the movie addressed, beginning to end.

Conclusion: Buy A Map for Saturday at Amazon.com- It is $20 well spent.

Also check out other favorite Independent Travel Documentaries and the best Travel films of 2009