It was great to be at Melbourne film premiere of The Bikes of Wrath this past week; it follows the tale of John Steinbeck's book, The Grapes of Wrath.

The film tracks 5 young Australians cycling across US from Oklahoma to California in the footsteps of the Joad family as famously portrayed in Steinbeck's book.

The Joad’s story was one of severe poverty in the wake of years of drought. In the 1930’s they and thousands like them were compelled to leave from the dust-bowl of Oklahoma to find a better life in California.

Source: Rothstein, Arthur, 1915-1985, photographer. [Public domain]

They are far from accomplished cyclists as they plan to undertake 2600km in a month with the same amount of money (inflated to modern day equivalent) as the Joad family took. The boys head across the country meeting everyday Americans in the Dust bowl. It is these meetings and stories which beautifully portray the human spirit and love of their fellow neighbours and community. This is especially profound with meeting the Hannigan family, who travel hundreds of kilometres to cheer the boys on. The most confronting moment of the film was when the cyclists meet Joe on the side of the road, who is battling his own personal turmoil but they stop to listen and help him in his desperate time of need.

There are many challenges along the way including injuries and many bike tyre punctures, but the locals are more than willing to offer a meal or place to stay. It’s these everyday stories show even though they may have very little to offer or share they show a big heart.

The film is beautifully intertwined with moments as locals read passages from the novel.

In the Q and A after the screening the filmmakers were what was the one thing they wished they had done better, almost in unison they all said 'better prepared'. I think we wish were all more prepared for the adventures we take, but that all forms part of the stories we get to tell.

The film won the audience award at the recent Banff Mountain Film Festival in Canada.