On the Way to School

On the Way to School is a captivating and thought-provoking documentary from 2013. Directed by Pascal Plisson, it features Jackson Saikong, his sister Salome Saikong, Samuel J. Esther, and a refreshing team of young protagonists. This movie reveals the unimaginable difficulties that children from remote and inaccessible corners of the world face to reach their schools every day.

The film has been designed as a series of real-life narratives that take us on their incredible journeys, gripping the audience with the rich tapestry of human resilience, determination, and youthful spirit. It shines a spotlight on the true value of education, often taken for granted by many in accessible regions.

The film opens with Jackson Saikong, a young Maasai boy living in Kenya's Great Rift Valley. Dedicated to his education, Jackson and his younger sister, Salome, embark on a dangerous 15-kilometer journey every morning, risking encounters with wild elephants and other perils to reach their school. Despite the daunting journey, their thirst for education doesn't dampen, reflecting their unwavering commitment to education and a brighter future.

Next, we travel to Patagonia in Argentina where the film introduces Samuel J. Esther, a committed young boy from a remote ranch who makes a challenging journey to his school. Despite the harsh weather conditions and challenging terrains, the resilience and determination showcased by Samuel are awe-inspiring.

While the documentary is primarily an amalgamation of various school trips, it reflects a lot more than literal journeys. Thematically, it delves into the extraordinary lengths that these children and their families are willing to go to ensure they receive an education. It brings out the stark contrast between the world we live in, wrapped in the convenient availability of resources, and those who tackle life-threatening dangers to attain something as basic as school education.

The documentary underlines the fact that it is not just the geographical hurdles that these children tackle. Each child's journey also represents a cultural and societal combat against the unspoken norms and generic beliefs that prevail in their societies. Their treacherous paths to school symbolize their fight for change, for a chance at a better life that an education promises.

On the Way to School is a testament to the power of perseverance and the human spirit's resilience against odds. It explores the unique shared experiences of children around the globe, bringing to the screen an incredible array of landscapes, cultures, and characters. Each child, irregardless of their socio-cultural backgrounds, is bound by their common trial against the odds to seek the beacon of knowledge.

The film's visual aesthetics add another dimension to the storytelling, as the breathtaking landscapes become an integral part of the narrative. Each setting speaks a different language of beauty, peril, solitude, and resilience, with the underlying unified theme of the triumph of the human spirit. From the bustling streets of India to the sweeping Argentinian grasslands, the playgrounds of Kenya, and the lone Moroccan valleys, the visual tapestry is stunning and awe-inspiring.

Pascal Plisson's direction is commendable. The movie presents an unbiased view of realities across different corners of the world. By inviting the audience to join these children on their extraordinary commutes, it effectively highlights the disparities in access to education, fostering thought and reflection on a topic often overlooked. Moreover, the smart intercutting of the four different stories keeps the film engaging and maintains the audience's attention throughout.

On the Way to School is an unforgettably inspiring and moving portrayal of the power of education and the lengths some must go to receive it. The captivating stories of Jackson, Samuel, and their schoolmates bind an enriched narrative about the universal human spirit and the extraordinary lengths people are willing to go to for education and their future. This profound documentary film is bound to leave an impact, gently prodding audiences to reevaluate the value they attribute to the often understated privilege that is education.

On the Way to School sketches a poetic, soaring love letter to education and the indomitable spirit of children around the world. It presents an honest and moving portrait of the hurdles faced by young seekers of knowledge, inspiring and thought-provoking in equal parts.