This is an interesting analysis of back yard motorcycle filmmaking through the next couple of films we review. It also smacks us in the face with differnet cultures, ripping through the same two-wheeled passion. Last Friday our dish TV box broke down, while it was time to kick back and watch a movie. I was fortunately reminded of a vast array of motorcycle films I've failed to watch and review, stacked on the coffee table screaming at me.
I live and breathe motorcycles, but after I read and write two-wheeled terror all day, then wrench and take tech notes all evening, I don't want to watch a lame goddamn motorcycle movie, got that! So, I avoid them like the plaque. But there's one filmmaker who gets the code of the west when it comes to making movies, even seat-of-the-pants films. It's Gaurav Jani from India. Maybe the bikes, mostly India-built single-cylinder, Royal Enfields, ain't cool. They're not adorned with Indian Larry twisted sissybars, but his films contain a solid story line and deliver a true, no-bullshit adventure.
His first film was a solo ride epic into some of the highest regions in northern India, near Tibet. No chase truck, camera car, crew or back-up vehicle followed into the rough terrain. He was on his own, except for the mountain tribes and folks on the jagged route who helped. In most scenes he was forced to ride the trek, back-track, set up his camera and ride the paved, rugged or stream bed several times to insure he captured the shot he sought, as the director.
In his most recent film, “One Crazy Ride” Gaurav attempted a similar expedition with three pals and a woman rider. They were a diverse group of motorcycle enthusiasts, all on single cylinder, 500 cc, Royal Enfields. Fortunately, we have a couple of moto-journalists located in India. I reached out to Udeyy, to see if he would give us an official description of the region these mad motorcyclists attempted to ride through. Keep in mind, no back-up truck of camera car. They packed all their travel stores on some, 15-year-old motorcycles and rolled out of town. Following is an official description of the region:
North East India–By Udeyy
North-East India refers to the easternmost region of India consisting of the contiguous Seven Sister States – Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland. Others are Sikkim, and parts of North Bengal. Northeast India is ethnically, linguistically, and culturally very distinct from the other states of India. These Indian States border the countries of Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. It's hence not surprising that India faces terrorist and insurgency in these regions from Maoist Communist extremists.
Various groups are involved in the insurgency in India's northeast states, which are connected to the rest of India by a narrow strip of land known as the Siliguri Corridor or Chicken's Neck. Many of these movements are said to be sponsored or supported by the People's Republic of China.
The region is inhabited by tribes who have been given autonomy and protection by Indian Government to maintain their ancient culture, thus further isolating the region from the rest of India.
Most of the basic infrastructure such as network of roads is maintained by the Border Roads Organization (BRO), an offshoot of the Indian Army.
Apart from the weather and poor facilities, bikers would have to carry their own water, food, fuel and spare parts. Landslides, flooding, wild animals, and tribal inhabitants add to the extreme adventure of a motorcycle ride through any of the North Eastern Indian States.
Arunachal Pradesh (where the bikers went): Much of Arunachal Pradesh is covered by the Himalayas. The Himalayan ranges that extend up to the eastern Arunachal separate it from China. The ranges extend toward Nagaland, and form a boundary between India and Burma in Changlang and Tirap district, acting as a natural barrier called Patkai Bum Hills.
The climate of Arunachal Pradesh varies with elevation. Areas that are at a very high elevation in the Upper Himalayas close to the Tibetan border enjoy an alpine or Tundra climate. While below the Upper Himalayas are the Middle Himalayas, where people experience a climate, which is temperate. Areas at the sub-Himalayan and sea level elevation generally experience a humid sub-tropical climate, along with the hot summers and mild winters. Arunchal Pradesh receives heavy rainfall of 80 to 160 inches (2,000 to 4,000 mm) annually, most of it between May and September. The mountain slopes and hills are covered with alpine, temperate, and subtropical forests
Though Arunachal Pradesh is administered as an Indian State, the People's Republic of China (mainland China) and the Republic of China (Taiwan) claim portions of the state as South Tibet.
Arunachal Pradesh means “land of the dawn lit mountains” in Sanskrit (among the oldest of known languages of the world). It is also known as “land of the rising sun” in reference to its position as the easternmost state of India. Most of the people native to and/or living in Arunachal Pradesh are of Tibeto-Burman origin. Arunachal Pradesh has over 50 distinct languages and dialects, mostly of the Sino-Tibetan language family.
Arunachal Pradesh attracts tourists from many parts of the world. Tourist attractions include the Namdapha tiger project in Changlang district, Sela lake near to Bomdila, the bamboo bridges hanging over the river. Rafting and trekking are also available. Places like Tuting has a wonderful scenic beauty, it is a paradise on earth which is undiscovered.
At North Eastern States, a visitor's permit from the tourism department is required, unlike other regions of India.
Okay, I watched as this crew quit their jobs, packed their bikes, and headed off into the guerilla treacherous, wilderness. In Gaurav's films, there is always a goal, coupled to rolling plights, and snake-ridden adventures. In this case, there were serious, life threatening ups and downs. They faced engine teardowns in the middle of the desert, and bridges made out of twigs. Members of the crew were forced to take their motorcycles on hand-drawn wooden ferries back home for repairs.
I don't want to give up too much of this motorcycle epic. It's damn good adventure, and will take you to regions of India you may never have the opportunity to see in person. You'll meet people, and experience ancient tribes, who still live off the land.T
