Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Bishop.
Hi Eric, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Hi, my name is Eric Bishop – I’m the director of the full-length documentary, WHY WE WALK. The film follows the journey of The Urban Hikers — a group of three black men from across the globe united to empower and de-stigmatize urban communities of color and their participation in the great outdoors. The Urban Hikers strive to introduce the power of walking to a community that has historically been underrepresented in this space. I met one of the members, Vanny Mwamba while driving for Lyft upon graduating from college and moving to Cincinnati, Ohio. From there, a profound six-year filmmaking odyssey began.
Inspired by the story of the revolutionary abolitionist John Brown, I followed The Urban Hikers on a life-changing backpacking pilgrimage from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia- the birthplace of the Civil War- to the nation’s capital in Washington, DC. The Appalachian wilderness served as a stage to address underlying racial identities and cultural differences within the collective. As tensions increased and provisions dwindled, the team had to learn to work as one in order to reach their destination.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been quite a challenging road, but that’s what made the project so worthwhile. As an independent filmmaker based in the Midwest, I crowdfunded over $43,000 to bring this project to fruition. I’ve grown both as filmmaker and as a man, spiritually, through making this film. As for the subjects of the documentary, they grew closer together due to taking on the adventurous route. And I believe that shows in the documentary. For both of us, it was a heck of a challenge, but completely worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a storyteller, I seek to discover and present the fine line between real life and the transcendent.
My aim with WHY WE WALK was to demonstrate that humanity has the ability to grow and come together through exploration and dialogue.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I edited the documentary during lockdown. My most notable inspirations during this time were Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. Reading their books and listening to their audiotapes opened my horizons to key concepts that really helped me understand the story I was trying to tell. The Heroes Journey, archetypes, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.whywewalkfilm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywewalkfilm/ & https://www.instagram.com/officialurbanhikers/?hl=en
Image Credits
Eric Bishop
Joe Walsh
