By Michelle Hon Pearson & John Pearson from WA, Australia.

This film is an SF3 2022 Feature Film Finalist.

Shot on Iphone XS Max, Iphone 8, Ipads.

Editing software: iMovie

A documentary put together by John Pearson and Michelle Hon. Made on a shoestring budget with limited resources and very little time, but with 100% passion.. TARMAC WARRIORS - INDIPAC 2022. A documentary exploring what it takes to undertake a solo unsupported 5500 km unofficial cycling race across Australia.

This documentary explores the mental and physical resilience of the endurance athlete. The route is inspired by the first Australian cycling pioneers known as Overlanders in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century who tested their endurance over long distances through the Australian Outback; without proper roads, services, water sources or conveniences. The environment is unforgiving and relentless, and only the strongest mentally and physically will make it from Fremantle to the Sydney Opera House. 

Directors' Statement

We are a husband and wife team who created this documentary. John is a cyclist , endurance enthusiast who is passionate about this crazy ride. He has attempted the Indian Pacific Wheel Race or INDIPAC in 2021, only to finish in Adelaide. I have a creative background in Architecture, and John is a health professional with an affinity for solo sports. He’s mad about all things cycling!

John and I put together this passion project, and together, we followed the riders for the first three days, and tried to piece together their journey through the lens of our iPhones and Ipad footage,. We wanted to tell their story, though our lens. We didn’t use any professional equipment, as you can tell by the sound quality and shaky images. Just our iphones and our ipads. 

John wrote and narrated the script, I edited, stitched and put the documentary together.