Pilgrim's Progress
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A brief Commentary on Bill Bennett’s film, “The Way, May Way”
by John Bennison,Mountain Shadow Director
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler ...
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost
Germaine and I had the privilege of meeting the film director and his life partner, Jennifer Cluff (who is one of the main characters in the film), at a special screening in March. I badgered Bill -- tactfully, but relentlessly -- until he agreed to allow me to bring this limited-release film to our Mountain Shadow audience.
Above: Jennifer Cluff (producer & cast member), Germaine Bennison, Bill Bennett (filmmaker) and John Bennison
Some of our viewers are familiar with the Camino. Some have hiked it, and Germaine and I will cycle a portion of it with a group next Fall. A brief historical description of this particular ancient pilgrim path is described below.
Regardless, for any of us who have trod more than a few miles in life’s journey, there are some readily-identifiable themes in “The Way, My Way,” with which one can readily identify. There are those unknown or less-chosen paths; along with those strangers and sojourners who become friends and intimate companions along the way to the discovery of a new and rewarding destination.
At one resting place along the way, Bill asks a fellow traveller what it means to be a true pilgrim. The other hiker replies, “There’s a lot of rules ... but to be a true pilgrim you have to walk with your heart open.”
“The Way, My Way” is a perfect cinematic metaphor to describe our common journey.
“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time ...
And all shall be well and
All manner of thing shall be well ...”
- from T.S. Eliot’s poem, “Little Gidding”
Above: Jennifer Cluff (producer & cast member), Germaine Bennison, Bill Bennett (filmmaker) and John Bennison
About the CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
El Camino, Camino de Santiago and The Way all refer to the network of paths that lead to the tomb of St James in Santiago de Compostela, in the northwest of Spain. It’s a long pilgrimage with religious roots, that has become a spiritual experience for many of those that make the journey.
They endure tough times, experience life-changing moments, and meet an array of like-minded people along the way – who are all heading in the same direction. Walking 20 kilometers (or more) each day for four to six weeks certainly has a way of clearing your mind and finding a new perspective on life!
It is estimated that around 6 million people walk at least some part of the Camino de Santiago each year, A new record number of pilgrims walked the Camino in 2023 and that number is expected to grow significantly in the years ahead.
