I stumbled on this film last August, and was enthralled. By the end of it I realized I had felt more inspired by it than any other documentary I have ever seen.

180* South is a documentary following Jeff Johnson, a California everyman. After finding an old documentary of two outdoor pioneers that venture to Patagonia, Jeff sets out to recreate the journey. After a shipwreck on Easter Isle, he finds truth in surfing, hiking, and climbing mount Korcavado in the open wilderness of Patagonia, one of the constantly shrinking oases of our planet.

The use of camera angles, musical integration, and editing are top notch. There is a scene in here that near perfectly documents the pure suffering that is sea sickness, something which I feel everyone should be more educated about.

The movie is one part gentle environmentalism, and two parts deep introspective meditation. I love it for its interpretive message of peace. The legendary frontmen of Modest Mouse and The Shins contribute a standout original score that perfectly compliments the tone of this beautifully directed film.