Driven by ADHD and a thirst for purpose, Brando embarks on bold adventures—from walking New Zealand’s coastline to crossing Greenland—using endurance and exploration to navigate identity, mental health, and self-discovery.
There are documentaries that tell a story, and there are documentaries that let a story unfold. Wildboy leans toward the latter—less a tightly scripted narrative and more a raw collection of lived moments from one man’s decade-long pursuit of adventure and self-understanding.
At its heart is Brando, a spirited young New Zealander diagnosed with ADHD, who refuses to live a life dictated by routine. At just 18, he sets out to walk the entire coastline of Aotearoa New Zealand—over 8,000 kilometres of beaches, cliffs, rivers and roads. This ambitious feat sparks a lifestyle marked by epic solo expeditions: skiing across Greenland, kayaking around Vancouver Island, and most prominently, cycling across the vast and challenging terrain of the Australian outback.
The documentary captures the grandeur and grit of these undertakings with stunning clarity. Sweeping aerials, immersive close-ups, and elegant transitions offer the viewer not only an appreciation of the landscapes, but also the quiet, reflective moments that often go unnoticed. Whether it’s the icy blues of Greenland or the rust-red roads of Australia, the cinematography brings with it a sense of stillness—inviting viewers to slow down and sit with the experience.
Brando’s energy is infectious. His zest for exploration, even in the face of intense physical hardship—sandstorms, blizzards, injury, and isolation—feels powered not by force, but by genuine passion. His ADHD is not presented as a hindrance, but rather as a driving force behind his restlessness, creativity, and desire to seek meaning beyond the limits of conventional life.
The central focus of Wildboy is his cycling journey across Australia. This trip is introduced early on, but the narrative is intentionally broken up by reflections from earlier expeditions. These flashbacks are not distractions; they offer insight into the emotional and psychological groundwork that led him to this point. Through these threads, we see how past challenges shaped his mindset—particularly in terms of mindfulness, changing perspectives, and learning to live in the present.
That said, the structure may catch some viewers off guard. Just as the Australian narrative begins to gain momentum, the film shifts focus. But this ebb and flow mirrors Brando’s own journey—non-linear, open-ended, and constantly evolving. The contrasts between New Zealand’s biodiversity and Australia’s harsher, more barren terrain help sustain the film’s rhythm and reinforce the diversity of environments he encounters.
One of the most moving elements of Wildboy is how it handles the emotional toll of long-term adventuring. Brando is occasionally joined by companions—friends and followers inspired to take part. But not everyone finishes the trip. Whether due to injury, mental strain, or the sheer weight of the experience, many must bow out. These departures aren’t framed as failures, but as reminders that exploration is demanding, and not everyone is ready for the cost of long-term isolation or exposure.
These moments provide important context. While the film celebrates freedom and escape, it never shies away from the real challenges that come with it. Hunger, exhaustion, loneliness—these are not romanticised, but acknowledged as part of the terrain. Wildboy doesn’t offer escapism, but something more grounded: the idea that fulfilment often comes through facing discomfort with honesty.
And this honesty is what makes Wildboy especially relevant today. In a world where many feel trapped by rising living costs, social expectations, and digital fatigue, Brando’s journey resonates. He represents a yearning that many people share—a desire to reconnect with nature, to slow down, and to rediscover what really matters.
The film doesn’t set out to offer a solution to life’s problems. It doesn’t present a step-by-step guide to freedom. Instead, it reminds us that there are other paths—paths defined not by convention, but by courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to be vulnerable. Brando’s story is inspiring not because he conquers the wild, but because he lets it shape him.
Wildboy is an invitation to reflect: on our relationship with nature, on how we spend our time, and on the possibilities that emerge when we step outside the familiar. You may not be inspired to cycle across Australia or ski across polar landscapes—but you may be inspired to spend more time outdoors, to pause more often, or to challenge what you thought was possible for yourself.
Above all, Wildboy is a celebration of exploration—of both the world and the self. It shows that purpose doesn’t always arrive neatly packaged. Sometimes, it’s uncovered slowly, through miles of silence, through encounters with strangers, through wind and snow and sun. Brando’s story is proof that there is power in persistence, and beauty in the unknown.
Directed by Toby Schmutzler | 92 mins | Germany, New Zealand | English | International Premiere – Being Oneself Category
Screening at the Doc Edge documentary festival, in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and online from 25 June.