Watch Big River Man

Big River Man is a 2009 documentary film that follows Martin Strel, a Slovenian endurance swimmer, as he attempts to swim the entire length of the Amazon River. The film is directed by John Maringouin and produced by Molly Lynch. Martin Strel is a middle-aged man with a beer belly and an insatiable thirst for adventure, who has already completed swims of the Danube, Mississippi, and Yangtze rivers. He is known as "the Big River Man" and currently holds the Guinness World Record for swimming the longest distance in a river.

The film begins with Martin preparing for his record-breaking swim of the Amazon, which is over 3,000 miles long and one of the most treacherous and unpredictable rivers in the world. He is joined on his journey by a support team, including his son Borut Strel and Matthew Mohlke, an American filmmaker who is documenting the entire journey.

The team faces numerous challenges along the way, including dangerous currents, uncooperative locals, and hostile wildlife. Martin also faces his own demons, including alcoholism and a strained relationship with his family. Throughout the film, we see Martin struggling with the physical and mental toll of the journey, as well as the emotional baggage that he carries with him.

The film is an exploration of one man's obsession, and the toll that it takes on him and those around him. It is also a meditation on the power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit, as Martin and his team navigate the wild beauty of the Amazon and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The cinematography is stunning, showcasing the beauty and danger of the Amazon river, and capturing the exhaustion, fear, and euphoria of Martin and his team as they make their way down the river. The film also features interviews with Martin's family and friends, as well as experts in the fields of endurance swimming and Amazonian ecology.

Overall, Big River Man is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary that will leave viewers both in awe of Martin Strel's incredible endurance and concerned for his physical and emotional well-being. It is a tribute to the power of the human spirit, and a testament to the dangers of chasing a dream at all cost.