Into The Wild {Discover}

Why on earth would you go into the wild? I mean, the actual wilderness. Maybe because the rules and obligations of the society you live in have become overwhelmingly absurd to you? This is possibly what pushed Christopher McCandless to leave his graduation, family, identity and money behind in 1990 and cross the US to reach Alaska - his dream, his ideal. His progression is beautifully described in Into the Wild, a movie by Sean Penn, adapted from the book by Jon Krakauer.

“Society” by Eddie Vedder (from the original soundtrack)

Fed up with conventions (let’s get a new car!) and the pack of lies and pretentiousness they carry, Chris is eager to reach the authentic side of life by meeting nature. He finally finds and abandoned bus - ironically bearing the Fairbanks City Transit System name - , his “Magic Bus” where he sets up camp in the middle of nowhere. Fauna and flora are his own neighbors. And they are true friends, true teachers of life. They are true because they accept no compromises, even when winter is harsh, food is scarce and death awaits you in your cold bus after months of discovery and sheer happiness, fear and delight. Stark authenticity and nature’s demands have brought light into Christopher’s soul, allowing him to understand that isolation may be soothing and needed, but that men are also meant to communicate and share with their peers to live fully. Living the ultimate experience into the wild is transforming, but what is it worth if you cannot share it? Holding hands is nice. What makes humans different?

The movie deeply touched me: funny, sad, poetic and blunt, it portrays a young and idealistic Christopher who wants to lift the veil of society and grasp what is beyond the set boundaries, who he really is, what the world around him is meant for and what his place in the world and family is. It surely cannot be defined only by its human-made absurdity? Great encounters shape each and everyone of us - each and every one of Chris’s steps on the way to Alaska: they spark empathy, understanding and happiness, sometimes. At other times, they give way to anger and resentment. The bottom line is never to give up: Chris wants to go North, to reach Alaska - his life.

“Long Nights” by Eddie Vedder

The images are breathtaking, the soundtrack by Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) is vibrant, the dialogues are spare as nature fills the screen and makes it dense with its sounds, colors and rhythms. They echo the words of the books Chris reads to keep sharp and learn about his surroundings. Bright and ruthless Alaska is the perfect environment to probe into your soul, to reach your limits - literally - and find out about your true nature and story. Going back to the essentials of feeling, opening  up the mind and senses is what makes life rich and fulfilling. 

Are you ready for your trip into the wild? Have you watched the movie or read the book? What are your thoughts on this? 

“Rise” by Eddie Vedder

Credits : Unsplash (edited in Snappa)