THE MEANING OF VAN LIFE

Australia, 2019, 87 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Jim Lounsbury.

This is a documentary being released by Stan.

Not everyone, especially those who have very busy lives in the cities, are aware of “Van life�. There are certainly many of us who go travelling around Australia in trailers, especially those who have the leisure in later life, the so-called “grey nomads�.

No, this is not a documentary about grey nomads. Nor is it a documentary about trailers or caravans. It is about vans, minivans.

Rather, it is about a growing number of adults, some younger, a number older, who have opted for a mobile life, a greater sense of freedom, the ability to choose to move around, take a different perspective on reflections on the meaning of life, become part of a travelling community. While there is a lot of communication online, part of the spirit of this community, conveyed with great enthusiasm during this film, is an extraordinary camaraderie among the Van life members enjoying face-to-face meeting, face-to-face company.

Which means then that, while this film will have some ardent fans, many who tune in will find that they are onlookers, often rather surprised onlookers.

Most of the action, in fact, takes place in the United States and the director himself was born in Seattle. He knows the US West Coast particularly well. However, it is an Australian produced film and has substantial Australian content. The Australian enthusiasts proposing Van life are interviewed, one leader casually sitting at the door of his van, explaining the philosophy, explaining the experience, explaining its consequences.

The Australians make contact with the Americans and there is quite an amount of enthusiastic correspondence. Which means then the Australians go to the US, the various members in the US plan meetings and gatherings – which the film audiences invited to share.

In one sense, this documentary could be called a vocation film, a hearty invitation for those of like mind and spirit to join. They will probably get a number of converts and this way of life as a huge appeal – but, for most, this will be an onlookers’ pastime (perhaps a dream that will never come to pass).