Kiwi film crew premier underground Odyssey in NZ

Kiwi film crew premier their underground ‘World Odyssey’ in New Zealand

“Julian and Camilla’s World Odyssey” is a documentary travel series unraveling a full year of unpredictable travel plans and all the bizarre encounters made along the way: Masked Mexican Wrestlers, Thai Transsexuals, Indian Gurus, Jamaican Con-men and Peruvian Alien Worshipers - to name but a few.

Four friends, Julian Hanton, [Director and onscreen traveler] Camilla Andersen, [Producer and companion traveler] along with Cameraman Tom Fowlie and Researcher/Sound Ian Hart, left New Zealand under their own resources and finances with a plan to make a ‘backpacker’ TV series around the world.

Julian: “No’one was going to pay for four unknown filmmakers to make their own series so we just went ahead and did it ourselves. We wanted to make a show that captured the real travel experience for those of us that weren’t interested in tagging along on package tours”

One year later they returned with five hundred hours of footage having trawled through 12 countries sheding 40 kgs between them and bringing back an impressive collection of rashes and tropical diseases.

Picked up by US Distributor Cable Ready the series has been sold internationally in over 16 territories from France and Singapore to French speaking Africa. Having total independence allowed them to plan their filmed journey like real travelers away from the souvenir stalls, making plans depending on who they met or how much money they had.

This resulted in many human rights focused investigations like visiting a Laos village that suffered tremendous bombing by the US secret war in the 1970’s, the AIDS epidemic in South Africa or an audience with the masked rebel group the Zapatistas in Mexico. They even landed an exclusive interview with Professor Noam Chomsky, who added his perspective to these events.

Just as it becomes serious each episode can switch mood instantly like their lighthearted romp through a Jamaican nudist resort full of overweight Americans. Camilla: “That’s exactly what travel is like - one minute your wandering a mass grave the next your dancing with gay Cuban men drunk on cheap rum“

Another aspect to the series is the unlikely pairing of cheapskate traveler Julian with laidback companion Camilla and their tumultuous friendship. After a year of shared experiences it wasn’t always smooth sailing the screaming match over petty differences in picturesque Cuba was one of the low points and it was all captured on camera.

Julian says that it was no holds barred when it came to exposing each others weaknesses: “We were always together, not just Camilla and I but the other two as well, 24 hours a day for a year so it was hard not to be yourself on camera, laughing, crying, getting ripped off by locals and lots and lots of vomiting, we made it part of the experience”

Together these four filmmakers joined forces to explore the more bizarre aspects of the world and illuminate its darker side. The series also captures the feel of the traveler network interviewing other backpackers and getting to the bottom of each countries sub-culture.

Julian & Camilla

Julian is a professional traveler and cheapskate who dodges anything pricey and seems to always encounter ridiculous situations on his travels always paying the price in the end.

A self proclaimed intelligent, chili eating, ancient ruin exploring, bed-bug mattress sleeping 3rd class traveler with a passion for bikini beach parties in exotic locations and bargaining with locals over inexpensive souvenirs.

Camilla is a first time traveler and who eavesdrops on travelers secret spots and puts them on their map. A sexy, tropical-fruit eating, human rights investigating, hammock swinging, easy going traveler with a habit of sniggering at package tourists and chatting up locals.

Joining forces for a yearlong voyage of the planet - will they be able to listen to each others travel advice, put up with each others ego, ignore each others annoying habits and make it home still friends???

ENDS

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