The North follows an emotional journey as two longtime friends reunite on a remarkable 330-mile trip across the Highlands of Scotland.
The film stars Carles Pulido as Lluis, a Spaniard, and Bart Harder as Chris, a Dutchman. After 10 years apart, the two friends reunite and reconnect with versions of themselves they don’t recognize. As they head to the West Highland Way and Cape Wrath Trail to begin their journey, their time of reconnection and self-discovery begins.
With the sounds of nature serving as its soundtrack, The North is a perfect watch for those who appreciate hiking, friendship and the beauty of the natural world. Shot sequentially over 16 days of hiking and camping, the film had a cast and crew of just six members.
Photo Courtesy: Picturehouse
The Knockturnal sat down with Pulido to discuss the physical and mental journey of Lluis’s character and story. As the hike begins, both friends learn how to work together and agree on how to navigate their experience together.
Pulido shared that he wishes Lluis had apologized at the beginning for his character’s lack of contact with Chris, especially since so much time has passed. He added how much his character wished Chris had been more present in his life.
Despite their distance and the years apart the two friends must confront the changes that have taken place. Pulido explained that Lluis’s frustration with Chris stems partly from the lack of communication between them, through lost time. As Chris begins paying closer attention to Lluis’s well-being during the hike, Lluis struggles with the fact that his friend is suddenly concerned after being absent for so long.
Throughout the film, Lluis was doing a lot of thinking and was silent during his time on the hike. For the audience who can’t guess or connect those dots, Pulido shared what Lluis thoughts would be.
“In my opinion, he’s in between that phase, where you are a kid or young, and you have to grow up. And he’s been comfortable in that zone, where you live in the present, and you don’t have to worry about the future, and you do whatever you want. Now he’s too afraid to grow up because he doesn’t know what’s coming for him,” Pulido said.
This fear of facing reality and the future should not arise while they are hiking and immersed in nature. Instead, these thoughts arise because Chris’s work calls and responsibilities disrupt the peaceful trip, and moments of self-discovery interrupt the reconnection.
Photo Courtesy: Picturehouse
Pulido has also found personal connections between him and Luis‘s fear of growing up. Although he didn’t fully recognize the similarities during the filming of the movie, he later understood them as changes were being experienced in his own life.
“I bought a house, and then responsibilities and all that stuff. Then I realized, okay, I was afraid, it’s scary, and I felt Lluis in that part of me,” Pulido said.
Another layer of Luis’s journey is added through Pulido’s reflection. He is suggesting that Luis’s struggle is simply not about reconnecting with just his old friend, but also facing reality and confronting the unknown when it comes to adulthood.
The scenic views and beautiful landscapes of Scotland help tie the story together as both characters can feel isolated but free at the same time. Bringing the story and film to Scotland was a memorable experience for Pulido.
“The landscape is amazing. It’s breathtaking every time I see the movie, and every time I see the behind-the-scenes thing. It’s… it’s jaw-dropping,” Pulido said.
The beautiful scenery came along with its own challenges. Pulido revealed that the cast and crew had to carry their equipment throughout the actual hike, including clothes, food, batteries, and camera equipment. The backpacks shown in the film waited between 60 and 66 pounds.
Photo Courtesy: Picturehouse
“We were based in the outdoors. And we had to carry all the batteries, everything we needed with us,” Pulido said.
Despite all the weight, Pulido said the backpacks were designed specifically to distribute the load around the hips, making it easier to adjust as they continued walking and hiking. The actor, also described Scotland’s midges, wind, and rain as challenges during filming and production process.
By stepping into Lluis’s role on this journey, Pulido relates to him on a deeper level and recognizes parts of himself in the character.
“He doesn’t care much about the future. And that’s something that I… I came across with that in my life later on after the movie. So when that happened to me and I realized that I was growing up and that I. I bought a house, and then responsibilities and all that stuff. Then I realized, okay, I was afraid, it’s scary, and I felt Lluis in that part of me,” Pulido said.
Photo Courtesy: Picturehouse
As Lluís and Chris hike through the Highlands of Scotland, their journey becomes one of self-discovery: they share personal truths, exchange long-held feelings, and reconnect with their former selves to face the future together.
Overcoming the trails of the hike with a soundtrack of nature, the film is perfect for those who love hiking, friendship, and the beauty of the natural world.
