VOD REVIEWS: Grant Korgan and Brian Niles’ THE PUSH follows a seemingly impossible journey of spinal-injury recovery all the way to the South Pole
Directed by Grant Korgan and Brian Niles, THE PUSH is a documentary that traces Korgan’s personal experience after the multi-sports athlete, world-class adventurer, and nano-mechanics professional, suffered a tragic accident while filming a snowmobiling segment in the Sierra Nevada back country. The film traces – in an up-close and personal way, Korgan learning to live with the aftermath of the injury he suffered in the accident until he decides to take on a monumental challenge – try to become the first spinal cord injured athlete to make an attempt to ski to the South Pole.
More than just a detailing of one man’s journey back from a seemingly insurmountable tragic turn in his life, THE PUSH is a feel good story about dreams, adventure, perseverance, love, friends, family, triumphs & lessons. Do you know who you are? What you want out of life? Imagine having an opportunity to do what you dream most and in one instance you are living that dream and the next…. Crushed… literally.
Korgan and Brian Niles tell this story about tragedy turned into triumph in such an inviting way. You are pushed in and out of situations, almost tossed back and forth emotionally. A big question I pondered over and over as I watched the film was how do we deal with decisions gone bad, that forever impact the people we love?
Korgan found himself in this position after what would have seemed to be a routine snowmobile run for a video opp. But as it turned out, it was anything but routine. And from the accident to the pain then on to his recovery, the film emphasizes how important Korgan’s family and friends were to provide the support needed when his characteristically unwavering spirit would understandably wane.
I personally thought this was going to be a long story about hospital recovery, fits of rage for a slow recovery, lots of therapy sessions and was hit with something much more compelling. However, THE PUSH operates on multiple levels, all interweaved into a stunningly unlikely comeback story and eventually turning into a dynamic mission statement.
When Korgan gets the fateful call to take on the South Pole challenge, it’s nearly impossible to not contemplate the impossibility of that for someone with no limitations. I literally asked myself, how, in the world, are they gonna do that for such a long distance in those weather conditions. What they went through to train and add in personality dynamics, physical limitations, communication styles, and let’s not forget pure ego. And that is the what makes THE PUSH a great cinematic experience, because the journey alone is amazing enough. The fact that Korgan and his friends and support team were able to film so much of it that intimately, capturing rare and raw moments throughout,can not help but make you ask yourself if you could survive a life changing traumatic experience and better yet… Will you survive after?
THE PUSH is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other VOD home entertainment platforms.
