An interesting and test of stamina documentary From Core to Sun tells the account of one man’s physical and psychological quest to break a Guinness World Record and own it on behalf of his country. The marathon runner took on the impossible task, not to only show that it could be done, but for Juan Jose Castello a childhood friend.
Ecuadorian marathoner Millan Ludena has always wanted to be a runner from when he was just a young boy. Encouraged by Carolina Bassignana, his family and friends, he grew up thinking he could be a champion at the sport. Determined to show he has the stamina to run a difficult marathon he decides to run a ½ marathon underground at the lowest depth on Earth that’s possible. It will take him to South Africa where he will attempt to complete the feat at the Mponeng Gold Mine.
He will descend to a depth of 3,560 meters (11,680 feet about 2 and ¼ miles) below the surface and run the gold mining shaft until he reaches 21 km (13 miles). It will be a test of his body to not only run the distance but at the mine’s 42 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) with a humidity of 80%. There he will be supervised by Hannah Ortman appointed Adjudicator for the Guinness Book of World Records.
To complete a full marathon, his second half will be an accent to the highest mountain above Earth’s center Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador. The top of the mountain is said to be the closest point to the sun. The final leg will complete the full marathon of 26 miles, but with something no one has accomplished. The run will have spanned from the lowest point in the Earth to the globe’s highest point on the globe that’s positioned on the Equator.
The determination of Ludena can be felt as he prepares for the marathon, his family’s backing, and those that helped him get ready for the world record. He trains several ways physically, nutritionally, psychologically and through physical therapy. Chosen for their abilities and friendship, the people that helped included Sports Psychologist Liza Portalanza, Personal Trainer Gonzalo Calisto, Sports Physician Dr. Oscar Concha, Physical Therapist Gisela Toledo and Dietitian Alex Caamano.
If you want an uplifting film that will show determination, perseverance and love for country, then seek out this film on you VOD server. A tip of the hat to the amazing and courageous filming and production team who filmed the documentary as the conditions that they had to work under were extreme and dangerous. They include lighting tech Quints Nel, Producers Jeff Karram and Shanna Robalino, and Director of Cinematography Simon Brauer to name a few. And of course the film would not have come to the screen without Director and co-writer Oliver Lee Garland and writer Carolina Sosa.
“We all have limits and with them two options. We can let these limits determine our life or try to defy them. The choice is yours” Millan Ludena
From Core to Sun has not been rated by the MPPA and has no adverse material. The documentary is released in the Spanish language with English Subtitles.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film for everyone (5 out of 5 stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Millian Ludena
Directed by: Oliver Garland
Written by: Oliver Garland and Carolina Sosa
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 1 hr. 30 min.
Opening Date: June 21, 2019
Distributed by: Levector Films
Released on: Digital HD, Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Cable providers and other VOD outlets
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
