Big River Man (2009)

Directed by John Maringouin
Starring Martin and Borut Strel
Runtime 100min. - Not Rated
4 Stars (out of 4)

"Big River Man" is part of my quirky documentary series and is available on DVD.

Martin Strel is an enigma. If you tried to convince me that he was an athlete, I'd assume he was a hot-dog eating champion. In addition to his waist size, Martin is also a heavy partaker of spirited beverages. His body could be described as the opposite of Michael Phelps', one of the only swimmers more famous than Strel. In Martin's home country of Slovenia, his swimming fame knows no equal. He has an endorsement deal with a local water park that lets him use the facilities privately along with his family. He's regularly recognized around town and rarely has to purchase his own booze. He takes full advantage of the alcoholic generosity and when he's had his fill he drives himself home. Slovenia has laws against drunken driving and Martin gets pulled over regularly. Once the police see who's behind the wheel they let him off with a not-so-stern warning.


Despite the size of his waist and unhealthy habits, Martin Strel holds multiple world records for endurance swimming. Martin's passion is to swim entire rivers beginning to end. He uses his adventures as a chance to promote conservation and environmental awareness, but I get the sense that those things are peripheral goals for Martin. I think he's motivated by the challenge and adoration from his fans.

"Big River Man" follows Martin on his quest to swim the Amazon. When the film begins he's already swam the Yangtze, Danube, Kolpa, and Mississippi rivers. Each of them presented their own set of obstacles, but none of them as menacing as the mighty Amazon. Not only is it nearly 3,300 miles long, but it's filled with flesh-eating fish, parasites, snakes and caimans. If the animals aren't enough, there's also hostile native tribes that occasionally lurk along the river's edge.

The trailer really nails the tone of the film.

The dangers are lessened somewhat by two boats that accompany Martin down the river. They have supplies, sleeping quarters, guns and buckets of blood they intend on pouring in the river to distract the piranhas. The most important person on the boat is Martin's son Borut. The record-breaking swims are small operations that Borut organizes and promotes. He also provides the film with a surprisingly objective point-of-view by giving his analysis of Martin's physical and mental health issues.

Martin keeps his son stressed by ignoring everyone's advice, including that of his personal doctor. He gets dehydrated after several weeks of swimming and the doctor insists he consume more fluids. Martin responds by drinking wine straight from a bottle while still swimming. He also has a knack for resuming his swim while everyone else is sleeping. That means it's pitch black and the boats have no way to track him. It's also when the river is at its most deadly.

There are several serious situations on screen, but the film keeps a light tone. After one of his nighttime escapades the search for Martin concludes on a small river island, where Martin, in some sort of trance, is found staring at trees while wearing nothing. Martin Strel is such an absurd character that it's hard not to laugh. He also has a warm, magnetic quality that keeps the viewer hooked. He's the kind of person you feel compelled to root for. It's a documentary you won't soon forget.