Bicycle Daze

Korean into a camcorder,while video shooting the scenic view. “This documentary aims at understanding the experiences of a bicyclist in different cultures and countries,” says Ahn. For him,it is the diversity of the country that gripped his attention. “There is so much to see in Varanasi,Agra,Delhi,Jaipur,Mumbai,I could go on,” he says.

On the official website of With My Own Two Wheels,Seigel-Boettner,producer and co-director of the film,describes how in the West,a bicycle is a luxury equipment,whereas in rural

India,it helps one live a better life. “Something as simple as a bicycle can ensure that girls in rural India have a means to travel to school. Keeping them in school seems like the best way to prevent child marriage,” he adds on the site. Seigel-Boettner’s team partnered with Pune-based NGO Ashta No Kai,that has initiated the Bicycle Bank Project in India. Armeen Modi,founder of NGO,says,“Jacob’s team shot one of our girls,Bharati,who was able to go to high school and continue her studies after having received a bicycle through the project.”

Exploring India,hitherto unknown to them,is an adventure for these young filmmakers. Ahn has found a new-found love for spicy Indian food. “But the communication is not easy for both the locals and for me. Also,the bicycle and equipment’s security worries me,” he says.

Seigel-Boettner describes how street-smart guides tried to take him and his crew for a ride. He adds,“The film is a way of spreading the power of the two wheels to those who need it.”

While Seigel-Boettner’s film is being screened at festivals around the globe,Ahn is far from done. “It will take me six years to finish the trip. From Pune,I will travel to Jammu and then to Pakistan,” he says. “I wanted to go to Africa too,but with the current political unrest there,it seems difficult. Pakistan,Iran,Armenia and Europe is the current plan,” he adds.