State Cinema from Thursday, May 24: Duncan is blind, Conrad can’t bend …

New Tasmanian independent documentary LOWEST TO HIGHEST World Premier & limited screenings at the State Cinema from Thursday 24th May.

Tasmanian adventurer Paul Pritchard, Duncan Meerding, Conrad Wansbrough, Walter van Praag have completed an attempt to cycle over 2000 kilometres from salt encrusted Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre (the lowest point in Australia) to the highest peak of our continent, Mount Kosciuszko (2228 meters above sea level).

This World first expedition was a gruelling test for the riders particularly the first 700km that was mainly on corrugated desert tracks.

Oh and did we mention … ?

Duncan is blind.

Conrad can’t bend.

Walter can’t breathe.

Daniel can’t walk.

Paul…. well, how long do you have?

What is a sensational effort for an able-bodied rider may well have been the ultimate challenge for Walter Van Praag with 35% lung function (due to Cystic Fibrosis), Daniel Kojta who is paraplegic and uses a hand-cycle, and Conrad Wansbrough who suffers from a debilitating spinal injury. What is a steady and manageable hill climb to the summit of Kosciuszko for some, was a monumental achievement for Paul Pritchard with half a working body (due to Hemiplegia). To get there, Paul rode a custom built tandem-recumbent-trike with Duncan Meerding, who has 5% remaining vision, although that didn’t stop him from pushing the trike along some of the steepest and roughest parts of the road.

Featuring stunning and varied landscapes, cruising past road critters and through clouds of dust kicked up by the onslaught of passing freight trucks (aka road trains), recuperating in riverside campsites and seeking bike repair shops along the way, Tasmanian film company RUMMIN Productions were there to capture the effort, the banter and the glory of reaching the end of the road after a world record ride.
Why is this an important film?

Well, in the words of Paul Pritchard:

” Who hasn’t dreamed of doing something extraordinary? Being disabled does not mean you are unable. Everyone needs help sometimes and by helping each other on the ride, we will show that with a little help, everyone – disabled or not, is capable of extraordinary things.”

Lowest to Highest will be screening alongside Rummin’s multi-award winning short film DOING IT SCARED which featured Paul Pritchard’s final ascent of the Totem Pole after his debilitating accident there almost 20 years ago.

Doing it Scared was selected into the Banff Mountain Film Festival and toured throughout 42 countries in 2017. For Tasmanian audiences this is a not to be missed opportunity to see Tasmanian independent filmmaking at its best.

Trailer link: https://vimeo.com/244744757

http://www.statecinema.com.au/Movie/Lowest-To-Highest

https://www.facebook.com/events/1943499792627587/
Catherine Pettman, PRODUCER www.rummin.com www.facebook.com/rumminproductions