‘Maidentrip’: Simple and Inspiring Documentary That Could Change Your Life

Laura Dekker became the youngest person to sail around the world alone at the age of 14, a record that was documented in ‘Maidentrip’. This documentary, which was directed by Jillian Schlesinger, centres on Laura, a Dutch adolescent with divorced parents who decided to live with her father, a sailor, and set out on a two-year journey around the world. 

The movie shows the emotional and psychological journey of a young girl finding herself in the middle of the ocean, in addition to the enormous logistical challenges she encountered. ‘Maidentrip’is a good fit for its genre, which includes movies like ‘Red Dot on the Ocean’, ‘One Simple Question’, and ‘Chasing Bubbles’.

‘Maidentrip’ differs from dramatized portrayals such as Jean-Marc Vallée’s ‘Wild’ or Robert Zemeckis’ ‘The Walk’ in that it uses Laura’s own film to let viewers experience the genuine journey. The documentary explores Laura’s mental health, highlighting her fortitude in the face of doubt and obstacles, such as the possibility of being taken from her father and put in foster care. For Laura, sailing was a very personal activity that put her independence and spirit to the test. When asked why, she dismisses traditional life routes with contempt and says she needs to forge her own way.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

Identity discovery is another aspect of Laura’s journey. She battles with belonging and finds comfort at sea, though even there she occasionally yearns for land. She was born in New Zealand but grew up in the Netherlands. 

This tension is a reflection of society’s strict standards as well as her shattered childhood. With expansive shots and personal self-recorded moments, Schlesinger expertly depicts Laura’s journey, fusing loneliness with the joy of liberation. Her relationship with her father is depicted in the movie with affection, highlighting their complex, encouraging friendship. This gripping directing elevates Maidentrip from a documentary to a motivational example of pursuing one’s passions and overcoming expectations.

–Farheen Ali 

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