Despite a title befitting a Werner Herzog-style adventure of ordeal and grim obsession, Scott Petersen's feature is a fairly mild documentary, recounting a nervy, youthful antic now recalled in flashback by Chicago photographer Steve Ewart and Los Angeles author Dick Russell. Back in 1971, as two inexperienced Kansas college graduates, the pair tried hitchhiking across the Sahara Desert, planning to sell images and stories of the ramshackle trek. On the journey, they met black militants and European leftists confident that revolution was imminent, offended an African chief for the sake of a photo op, nearly collided with a camel, and experienced spirit-possession with a witch doctor. With hindsight the friends now look back nostalgically on this life-changing escapade. Hitchhiking to the Edge of Sanity is essentially reminiscing while looking through old albums. Fortunately, the pictures are excellent, a credit to the rugged all-mechanical Nikon F camera wielded by beginner Ewart. Extras include deleted scenes. Likely to appeal to armchair travelers, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)
Hitchhiking to the Edge of Sanity
(2018) 58 min. DVD: $49: high schools; $99: public libraries; $249: colleges & universities. DRA. Scott Petersen. PPR. Volume 33, Issue 2
Hitchhiking to the Edge of Sanity
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