Indiana Jones with a socio-environmental consciousness
Ernst Aebi, both the man and his film, "Barefoot to Timbuktu," embodies the ideals of Mountainfilm in Telluride, this year May 28 – May 31. The annual gathering of a tribe, more evangelists really, is dedicated to saving the world one person, one place, one species, one story or idea at a time.
His emotional journey of hope, anticipation, and desire finally gets told in "Barefoot in Timbuktu," a documentary about a wild and crazy adventurer and his obsession with the Sahara desert and its people.
Aebi is Indiana Jones with a socio-environmental consciousness.
Telluride Inside and Out, May 24, 2010 - Article features audio interview with Susan Viebrock!
Irresistible Masterpiece
Aebi’s personality holds everything together, keeping us glued to the screen
One of a select handful of films from recent years that have offered a nonstop dose of joy from beginning to end
At times, we scratch our heads in incredulous amazement about how his life has unfolded
The AMG Review / Nathan Southern, February 12th, 2010
Aebi often resembles Werner Herzog
Indeed, with his German accent, windblown appearance, wanderlust and obsession with impossible quests, Aebi often uncannily resembles that cinematic visionary/slavedriver Werner Herzog. One cannot but wonder what a Herzog docu on the subject of Aebi would look like.
Variety review by Ronnie Scheib - February 16, 2010
Who's the coolest movie protagonist in town?
*** The most extensive interview with Ernst Aebi we've come across so far. If you're only going to read one single article from this page's selection, choose this one. ***
Who's the coolest movie protagonist in town? Gibson, Travolta, Downey, Washington? Beginning Friday, my choice is Ernst Aebi, the subject of Martina Egi's documentary, Barefoot to Timbuktu.
EA: You should never stop. As long as you go you can hope something new comes your way and makes life more exciting. You don't want stagnation.
EA: Actually, what our parents told us from an early age was that it was not allowed for us to say, "It can't be done." Nowadays our parents would be thrown into jail for the things they made us do or let us do.
brink.com / Danny Peary’s interview with Ernst Aebi - February 10, 2010
A life-affirming celebration of compassion, hope, persistence and generosity of heart
fascinating, inspirational (...) compelling and heartwarming
Director Martina Egi wisely incorporates Ernst’s background information and life
Egi does a terrific job of bringing out Ernst’s warmth, wisdom, sense of humor, unadulterated charisma and kindness of heart throughout his many interviews.
if only everyone on this planet were as selfless, considerate, compassionate, productive and intelligent as him, perhaps we would be living in a much more sustainable world where everyone makes the most out of what they have
At a running time of only 84 minutes, Barefoot to Timbuktu manages to be captivating, inspirational and profoundly illuminating.
NYC Movie Guru, February 12th, 2010
Movieline Interview
The movie as a whole is so cinematic, narratively and visually, in ways many viewers don’t instinctively attribute to documentaries.
Interview @ Movieline / S.T. Vanairsdale, 12 Feb 2010
Opening Day Reviews
Click on the preview images to see bigger scan JPGs:
King of the sand castle
Director Martina Egi has crafted a portrait of a daring and dashing character who seems adverse to a sedentary life and thoroughly disinterested in boundaries or obstacles.
Review @ filmsoundoff.com / Alex Roberts, February 10, 2010
comingsoon.net: Ed Douglas’ review + chosen film of the week!
To call Aebi eccentric may indeed be the understatement of the century.
It's a gorgeous film about a man who made efforts to cross a cultural divide
(...) inspiring to watch and Martina Egl has done a good job finding an inventively artistic way of telling his story.
Review @ comingsoon.net: February 9, 2010 / Ed Douglas. Also his chosen film of the week!
Martina Egi Ventures into the Sahara
Martina Egi…
…on her background and documentary “Barefoot to Timbuktu”
…on the challenges she faced developing the project
…on how the financing for the film came together
…on her creative influences and aspirations
…on what it means to be an independent filmmaker
Interview @ indieWIRE, February 8, 2010
New York Magazine
New York Magazine, February 15, 2010: Bilge Ebiri’s capsule review, and also one of the editor’s pick for the week.
Interview with Filmmaker Magazine
Egi profiles Ernst with affection, but she doesn't shy away from examining the effects of his restless nature on his family and friends.
Martina Egi is interviewed by Filmmaker Magazine / Brandon Harris.
Time Out New York review by Nicolas Rapold
A deeply emotional voyage of hope and desire
A review by "New York in French", Audrey Conor
It’s a full-life well worth getting to know.
Craig Younkin / Screen Comment - January 16, 2010
