Maidentrip

Maidentrip

Maidentrip

Not things you normally say about a 14-year old girl. This documentary brought me back to that summer sitting on a beach in Hawaii. I was 16 and I read Dove about the voyage of Robin Lee Graham who started his around-the-world sailing when he was 16. I had never been on a boat and didn't have much desire to do anything similar, neither then of ever since. I have spent a little time on sailboats and I've always thought-if not dreamed-of crossing the ocean on a sailing vessel. I would only do it with someone with a lot more experience and knowledge than what I have gleaned after a couple summers of crewing on a racing yacht. Her bravery is the most inspirational aspect of Maidentrip. What this film represents, at least to me, is the sense of adventure in all of us, whether we have acted on it or not. I've never done anything like this but I haven't exactly been paralyzed with fear, cowering inside a locked room. I just like to read, hear, and watch other people's ideas on the subject. I think that I have acted to fulfill a few of my dreams in life and that has made all the difference, as Frost put it.

Maidentrip is a beautiful documentary about Laura Dekker's year and a half voyage to be the youngest person ever to sail around the world. Dekker, who is Dutch, set sail from Gibraltar in 2010 and made the journey in a year and half, finishing a few months after her 16th birthday. Her route took her to St. Martins, Panama, the Galapagos Islands, Austrailia, the Cape of Good Hope, and back to St. Martins. This movie is amazing first because of the premise--that a girl, 14, would even try such an amazing task. We learn that Laura is no ordinary girl--from an early age she loved sailing, and in fact would sail all over Holland by herself by the age of 10. In 2009, only 13 years old, she sailed across the English Channel from Holland and back by herself. When it became known that she intended to sail around the world, Dutch authorities attempted to remove her from her father's custody to keep her from making the trip. After a court victory, the way was cleared for her. As we follow Laura on her journey, what we realize is that, however young she is, this is a remarkable person with a vision. The trip becomes something of a work of art--she photographs it all herself-- and so is really a sort of view of the entire world through her lens. Additionally, we get to know a story of her tumultuous past and how her voyage potentially can liberate her, and the story is compelling. Laura is involved in an immense but joyful struggle to see the world, show us her experience, and even fully create herself as a person. It is an amazing story.

Maidentrip is the story of a 14-16 year old girl who wants to sail around the world alone. As anyone who has spent time sailing alone, that is an extremely powerful premise on itself. The film maker made a brilliant decision to focus on this premise and not go to deeply into the other interesting aspects such as the mechanics of sailing or the adventures ashore. This film focuses on the type of person who wants to tackle the oceans alone as while as the freedom, loneliness and adventure of such a trip. Where this film really shines is that to shows instead of telling. It has scenes of her finding great comfort in the company of dolphins instead of scenes of her crying or complaining. It has scenes of her silently embracing the beauty of the exotic islands she visits instead of a tourists itinerary of her shore visits. Laura is also great on camera, showing her strength, vulnerabilities and quirky teenage personality without resorting to drama or shock value. And then the last scene... This is what made me rate this movie a 10. After completing here around the world voyage she leaves the Caribbean to head for New Zealand. In the voice over she talks about how she found a crewmate to share this new voyage with and how if she doesn't like New Zealand she will just push off for another port. It starts as a close up on "Guppy" sailing confidently under full sail and pans out until the boat is but a small spec on the giant ocean. That scene really captured the power of a young girl determined to chart her own course in life.

Enjoyed Laura's adventure very much and for several different reasons. Her focus is sharp and unique for a teenager. Most adults are not quite so capable. Maybe best of all, she changed quite a bit, became wiser, learned lessons, and allowed the spell to be cast. (Minor point reduction for small gaps in the details of the oceaneering).

Are we to believe she sailed around the world, without a support team? Why are there no news articles around January 2012? Why does she always have clean hair in her videos? I am sorry, but something is not quite right. David Blaine street magician can live under water for 100 days without oxygen, and make the Statue of Liberty disappear... Served as crew member for ten days on the tall ship Stad Amsterdam, departing from St. Maarten on 5 January 2011. Departed Sint Maarten on 20 January; visited the islands of Îles des Saintes, Dominica, Bonaire and San Blas Islands, all located in the Caribbean. Flew home on 27 February; stayed to 10 March to speak at a boat show and other places, now a figure of considerable media attention in the Netherlands. Completed the passage of the Panama Canal on 11 April 2011;[59] visited Pearl Islands thereafter.

Can't recommend it enough. Inspired me so much in many different ways, as a human being in general, as a father, as an adventurous soul... It's an incredible story and an example of what we are capable of as human beings even from very early ages. It makes you question the conditioning we inherit from the society, what we are capable of, who we truly are and much more. It's an incredible journey inward as well as outside. Please watch it. And watch it with your children if you're a father or a mother. Let them be inspired, let them free. And let your soul free.

It is about a Dutch girl becoming American somehow. The script: "I want to travel the world on boat." The truth: "I want to get as much attention and likes as possible and I think the best way to get that is by travelling on boat." Bleeh, freaking attention seeker. You know what would make you really great? Traveling the world on a sailing boat by yourself and do not let anyone know that you did it. But I guess the time of being humble is behind us. It is not about accomplishing your own goals anymore. I would probably liked this film is you kept it to yourself for at least 40 years. If you released it after so many years, yea, it probably would feel genuine. But now? No way...Haha. It is about showing others you accomplished your goals and if possible making money out of it. Bleeeeeeh. Honestly disgusting.