Circle the Wagen

Circle the Wagen is a 2013 American indie documentary film by co-founders, co-producers, and co-directors Ryan Steven Green and Charlie Pecoraro. This 88-minute inspirational docu-drama, which adopts the ‘road-buddy’ genre of storytelling, offers a visually captivating and emotionally rich narrative of camaraderie, adventure, and "on-the-road" experiences. The film seeks to celebrate the unique spirit of camaraderie that binds the proud owners of Volkswagen buses throughout America.

Set against the expansive and breathtaking canvas of the American Southwest, with its gorgeous desert landscapes, glittering neon cities, and the vast open roads, Circle the Wagen vividly captures the essence of this incredible journey of discovery and exploration. This makes Circle the Wagen far more than just about vintage cars, offering an intimate, intense, and at times heartwarming view of the American landscape and culture from a moving vantage point.

The film primarily revolves around the central characters of Dave Torstenson, a motivated yet naive dreamer from Iowa, and Charlie Pecoraro, a free-spirited, ardent Volkswagen hobbyist from California. Both individuals are brought together by their common passion for the iconic vintage van, the Volkswagen bus, specifically, the 1972 Volkswagen bus that Dave purchases on eBay.

When Dave Torstenson buys this orange Volkswagen sight unseen, he has high hopes of driving it from where it sits decaying in the New Mexico desert to Los Angeles. Unfortunately, due to the van's disrepair and dilapidated condition, his dream turns out to be an arduous challenge. The van, which he affectionately nicknames "The Croc," creates a series of obstacles, breaking down at every turn.

Dave's optimism wavers as the scope of his project sinks in, but the tide turns when he learns of a subculture of vintage VW diehards, known as the “Bus Pilots,” who offer assistance and camaraderie in helping him restore and revive "The Croc." This merry band of misfits, vanguardists, and tinkerers nearly all rise to the challenge, opening their hearts, minds, and garages to a stranger in need.

Enter Charlie Pecoraro. As a knowledgeable and charismatic expert in VW subculture, Charlie steps in to support and accompany Dave on this daunting quest across the southwestern United States. The dynamics between Dave and Charlie propel the narrative of the film and serve as its emotional core. This journey introduces the audience to the colorful and diverse tapestry of people and places that make up the Volkswagen subculture.

Beyond the standard start-to-finish road trip documentary, Circle the Wagen offers the viewer an authentically American experience. Its engaging, character-driven narrative immerses the audience in the unique Volkswagen van subculture, represented by an eccentric but intriguing collection of individuals, all unified by their passion for the iconic vehicle. This deep dive into a fascinating subculture, combined with a personal tale of ambition and friendship, provides the film with considerable depth and emotional resonance. Apart from its colorful cast of characters, the film also profoundly explores the concepts of dreams, destiny, chance, hope, and the human spirit's indomitable resilience.

The cinematography adds a significant visual appeal to the movie, while the sound design and the score are praiseworthy, complementing the film's mood and atmosphere. Directed with a sincere, personal, and passionate vision, Green and Pecoraro beautifully juxtapose the simplicity, humility, and goodwill of the characters with the rugged beauty of the American landscape, providing an aesthetically pleasing viewing experience.

To conclude, Circle the Wagen comes out as an engaging and heartwarming exploration of friendship, courage, and the shared kinship and sense of community within a vibrant subculture. The film is bound to draw audiences into its vivid world, offering exciting and enriching views on the power of shared passions and dreams, thereby making it a well-crafted, uplifting, and memorable movie that transcends beyond being just another road trip documentary.