With My Own Two Wheels (Jacob Seigel Boettner & Isaac Siegel Boettner 2010): USA

Reviewed by Sanni Frostenson at the Santa Barbara Film Festival 2011.

With My Own Two Wheels is a documentary that is easy going but no less interesting. It can definitely give a new view to many people who do not appreciate what they possess, both in terms of material possessions and love.

In the Western world (US and Europe) we are taking a lot of things for granted. To be able to buy a bicycle is usually not an issue, but this is not the case all over the world. This documentary is very well made, the picture quality is excellent and very bright. The content also seems so credible because it’s made by interviewing people about their personal experience of how bicycles change their life—first hand experience that is. While presenting five persons from five different corners of the world, the filmmakers have also added some text telling us interesting facts. That is a very good way of backing up what the people on screen are saying—for all of us that might not have known so much about the subject.

The story starts with Fred, who is a 35 year old farmer in Zambia. He got married in 1997 and now does extra work as a caregiver in his spare time, which in this case means that he walks around to visit different people and help them with their medical needs for free. Sometimes Fred had to walk 15-20 kilometers per day to reach a patient.

The second person who got introduced to us is Miriam, who lives in Ghana. She got bitten by a dog at an early age, and the day after she couldn’t walk. But she fought hard and today she is able to jump around on her crutches.

The third is a young girl, Sone, a 14-year old in India. Here it is common to marry the girls off at this age, but at least Sone has gotten the chance to attend school.

Carlos is our fourth person. He lives in Guatemala, which has been ravaged by a long and cruel civil war. He was a farmer for many years until the pollution got too high, and now he is caught up in new projects.

Last but not least we have Sharkey, who is a 21-year old and lives in Santa Barbara. Things are not going so smooth for Sharkey, but he at least finds a new passion to occupy himself with.

All these true stories are connected together with one common thing—bicycles. The matter is presented in a very sweet and empathic way. I totally wan’t to buy a bicycle now for several reasons.  One is that I see clearly what I shouldn’t take for granted anymore. The advantage to be able to cycle almost anywhere around Santa Barbara. The advantage to have the choice to do so and to do it just for fun. This film makes me value my life more and the stories these people share with us are so obvious but still unique for each person.

I would absolutely recommend seeing this documentary if you are looking for something important but easy. The film is also only 44 minutes long – so surely most of us have that time to spare.