Mein Weg - 780 km zu mir (The Way, My Way)
Australia 2024

Opening 24 Apr 2025

Directed by: Bill Bennett
Writing credits: Bill Bennett
Principal actors: Chris Haywood, Jennifer Cluff, Laura Lakshmi, Pia Thunderbolt

This is a true story, about an older gent who takes to the road and is reborn. Not just any road, but the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James); this ancient network of byways/routes crisscrossing Europe led pilgrims to St. James (Santiago) tomb in northwest Spain. Choosing a route through France and Spain that has felt wayfarers foot treads for centuries, Bill Bennet explains, “What began as an idea, became a compulsion, then an obsession.” The filmmaker’s elucidations during the 780 kilometer-long (485 miles) journey became his eponymous bestseller (2013) and now this film. “The way, my way” is a phrase epitomizing Bill’s (Chris Haywood) pre-rebirth mindset.

Prior to departure Bill’s wife of decades, Jennifer (Jennifer Cluff), admits she hopes she “won’t have to make excuses for you anymore” after his trip. Arriving in Europe from Australia in May 2013, Bill is obsessively determined. Rendezvousing with fellow pilgrims after coordinating on-line to car-share to the starting point, Balázs Orbán arrives followed by Laszlo Vass then Rosa (Laura Lakshmi) and their deed begins. Following a personal itinerary, nevertheless the pilgrims’ paths often cross. In quick succession Bill’s egotism, punctilious, stubbornness, and self-centeredness is established, recognized. Whether a knotty staff, drinking beer, or headroom in photographs, Bill’s wayfarer friends cajole, rationalize thus extract compromises. Journeying alone, Bill meets and shares stories and insights with other pilgrims, e.g., Giovanna Donzelli and Ivan Boffi, Johnnie Walker, Cristina (Pia Thunderbolt). The advantage of being strangers opens travelers to having honest and heartfelt interchanges.

Australian award-winning writer-director Bennett’s years-long experience plots a leisurely pace along the Camino, peppered with personal observation, revelation, and hindsight. A give-away into his personality shifting is the “selfie,” plus banter during the pilgrims’ last meal. Well-acted, Bill’s real-life pilgrim friends give delightful “performances” being themselves. Production values are fine: Calum Stewart cinematography, Jackson Milas music, and Rishi Shukla editor, albeit less rambling would have meant more focus on Bennett’s aha! revelations.

Bennett confesses, "I'd never done anything crazy like this before—a pilgrimage walk. I was not a hiker, and I wasn't a Catholic. … I was also not an adventure traveller. For me, adventure travel was flying coach.” It is his irony and humorous self-deprecating style strung throughout picturesque springtime landscapes that assures a pleasant interlude of viewing. (Marinell Haegelin)