Film Review: Camino
Camino
Directed by Birgitte Stærmose
Viaplay Group, 2023
Run time: 105 minutes
Reviewed by Hany Farag | San Bruno, CA
While exploring the list of available movies on a long-haul flight, I came across the title Camino. The word “Camino” can indeed have many contexts and meanings, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was referring to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Once the flight meal was served and the light was dimmed, I fitted my headset and started the movie.
The film opening is a somber scene: a father and daughter listening to their dying wife and mother’s recorded last words. She wanted the father and daughter to walk 260 km of the Camino. The two are estranged and haven’t spoken for years. To honor her wish, they have to walk together and confront their history of anger and resentment.
They share the road avoiding each other, the father walking ahead and the daughter following a few steps behind. Across a backdrop of beautiful scenery, they have repeated encounters with fellow pilgrims, including a kind woman offering a sandal to the father for his blisters. Another pilgrim approaches the daughter looking for companionship. Even as the two vent their anger and argue, they never miss a beat in greeting passing pilgrims with a cheerful “Buen Camino!”
More relatable events are included: Visiting the remarkable Monastery of Samos, experiencing Camino hospitality and communal meals, and listening to Fado, the traditional Portuguese music. Also credential stamping, the annoyance of albergue snoring, and the beautiful natural views that provide moments of reflection and awe.
Unexpected revelations about each character (no spoilers here) add significant depth to the characters’ journey and their relationship. They continue their journey to Santiago and are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the cathedral. During the Pilgrim’s Mass, they are astounded by the enormous incense-burning Botafumeiro. Healing and reconciliation are reached.
Camino is an artistically modest movie that will likely appeal mostly to pilgrims. Aside from the family drama, which not every pilgrim may relate to, it captures the essence of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and authentically portrays the pilgrim experience without delving deeply into the spiritual journey. Instead, it focuses on the shared experiences, challenges, and camaraderie of the Camino. Ultimately, it imparts the wisdom that sometimes you have to travel far to meet halfway, making it a poignant and relatable story for anyone who has undertaken a pilgrimage (and perhaps anyone on the Camino called Life).
Editor’s note: At the time of this writing, this Danish film is available on streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime and TUBI.
More Book & Film Reviews
- Book Reviews: A Handful of Camino Guides
- Book Review: A Journey Between Heaven and Earth
- Film Review: Camino
- Book Review: The Camigas Scarf
For more video inspiration, we’ve also lot a long list of Camino films.