The Push

The Push is a highly inspirational and awe-inspiring real-life documentary about extreme sports enthusiast and world-class adventurer, Grant Korgan. This gripping film beautifully chronicles his uplifting journey through an unfathomable setback, which significantly illustrates the true power of human resilience and the unbeatable, warrior-like spirit.

The story of the film begins at the peak of Grant Korgan’s career, where he is being recognized and congratulated as an accomplished global adventurer as well as a nano-mechanics professional. He was living his dream life, devoting his time to the extreme sports he loved, but this blissful journey took an unimaginable turn when Grant suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left him bound to a wheelchair, with absolutely minimal chances of ever walking again.

Enter Tal Fletcher, world-class mountain guide, dedicated husband, and more interestingly, the optimistic light needed to inspire Grant to rise above his new reality. He proposes an unthinkable challenge to Grant - to push his redefined physical abilities to the limits by attempting to reach the most inhospitable place on Earth, the South Pole, by solely using his arm power.

This incredibly bold proposition forms the crux of the movie. In the face of this audacious dare, maintaining an episodic progression, the audience can witness Grant's admirable determination, overshadowing the harshness of his physical circumstances.

The Push draws a detailed picture of his unyielding rehabilitation process, both physically and emotionally, demonstrating his unbeatable warrior spirit. Included are snippets of Grant's extensive training, featuring ice and snow, making real the grueling preparation required for the planned polar expedition.

A significant chunk of the movie features Grant's consistently challenging expedition towards the South Pole. This visually spectacular yet harsh journey spans over two weeks and within these formidable glaciers, sub-zero temperatures, and severe weather conditions, unfolds a series of relentless battles between human spirit and nature’s severe odds.

The spectacular cinematography amplifies the harshness of the environment but in these demanding situations the resilience and unwavering spirit of Grant is the highlight, shining like a beacon of hope. The film captures the unpredictable challenges that Grant encounters during his journey and the steadfast manner in which he addresses and overcomes these hurdles.

Engagingly parallel to this, the film also showcases the emotional journey of his wife, Shawna Korgan. It explores Shawna’s unflinching dedication, her own set of challenges, the emotional swings she experiences – ranging from the heartbreaking moments of seeing her husband struggle, to being his primary source of strength and faith, all while she manages the extensive logistical planning behind the scenes.

Grant's interactions with his support team, including Tal Fletcher, also offer a profound perspective. Their bonds strengthen in the face of adversity and they emerge as a family from this journey. The consistent pushes towards achieving their goal, the collective spirit of hope and unwavering determination, are well captured throughout the film.

The Push, directed by Sundance award-winning filmmaker, Greg I. Hamilton, is a splendidly weaved narrative mixed with raw emotions of intense struggle, persistent hope, and relentless determination. Its heartfelt storytelling combined with the majestic Antarctic landscape used as a backdrop, truly transports its audience into Grant's world of contiguous pushes.

The comprehensive capturing of extreme resilience in human spirit, seamlessly blends in with the grandeur of the Antarctic landscapes, making The Push a riveting experience of inspiration, strength, and the outright audacity of the human willpower.