- Country: Chile
- Initial release: January 1, 2023 (United States)
- Film Director: Dimitri Poffé
- Running Time: 17 Minutes
- IMDB Grade: 8.0
The Present (2023) is an award-winning adventure documentary that follows Dimitri Poffé on an epic cycling journey across South America after a life-altering diagnosis. The short film explores resilience, presence, and the power of choosing to live fully in the moment.
cMovie.Asia
The Present 2023 adventure documentary captures the emotional and physical journey of Dimitri Poffé as he cycles across South America in response to a life-changing diagnosis. This award-winning short film blends adventure, vulnerability, and purpose, offering a deeply human story about resilience and living in the present.
The Present is a 2023 award-winning short adventure documentary that tells the deeply human and inspiring story of Dimitri Poffé, a French adventurer who chose courage, movement, and meaning after receiving a life-changing medical diagnosis. Blending breathtaking landscapes with emotional storytelling, the film stands as a powerful meditation on resilience, purpose, and the importance of living fully in the moment.
More than an adventure film, The Present is a documentary about confronting uncertainty, redefining strength, and discovering clarity not in the future, but in the present.
Table of Contents
A Powerful Introduction to a Remarkable Human Story
At its core, The Present documents a radical life decision. After learning that he carries Huntington’s disease — a rare, inherited neurodegenerative condition — Dimitri Poffé made a choice that defied fear and expectation. Rather than retreating inward or postponing his dreams, he embarked on an epic 18,000-kilometer cycling journey across South America, traveling from Mexico City to Ushuaia at the southern tip of Patagonia.
The film captures this journey not as an escape, but as a declaration: a decision to live consciously, deliberately, and courageously in the face of uncertainty.
The Journey: Cycling Across a Continent
The documentary follows Dimitri as he pedals through deserts, rainforests, mountain passes, and remote rural communities. Each environment presents unique physical and emotional challenges, turning the journey into a true test of endurance and self-awareness.
The act of cycling becomes symbolic. The steady rhythm of pedaling mirrors Dimitri’s commitment to keep moving forward — regardless of terrain, fatigue, or doubt. The film’s pacing allows viewers to experience both the scale of the landscape and the solitude of long-distance travel, offering moments of reflection that feel deeply personal and universal at the same time.
Rather than focusing on speed or achievement, The Present emphasizes presence. Each mile becomes an opportunity to engage with the world, connect with others, and acknowledge the reality of the moment without fear of what lies ahead.
Living With a Diagnosis, Not Defined by It
One of the most compelling aspects of The Present is its honest portrayal of life after diagnosis. Dimitri does not deny the seriousness of Huntington’s disease, nor does the film attempt to romanticize illness. Instead, it explores how awareness of mortality can sharpen one’s appreciation for life.
The documentary shows how Dimitri transforms vulnerability into purpose. Along his route, he engages with individuals and families affected by the same condition, opening conversations about illness, genetics, and emotional resilience. These encounters ground the film in shared humanity, reminding viewers that courage often grows strongest through connection.
By integrating advocacy into his journey, Dimitri’s expedition becomes more than a personal challenge — it becomes a moving platform for awareness and empathy.
Cinematography That Reflects Inner and Outer Landscapes
Visually, The Present is striking in its restraint and authenticity. Wide shots of vast landscapes emphasize the enormity of the journey, while intimate close-ups reveal moments of exhaustion, reflection, and quiet determination.
The camera does not seek spectacle for its own sake. Instead, it captures the rawness of real movement: the strain of climbing, the silence of remote roads, the small gestures that reveal emotional weight. This balance between grandeur and intimacy reinforces the documentary’s central theme — that life’s most meaningful moments often occur quietly, between milestones.
Sound design and music are used sparingly, allowing natural ambience to carry emotional weight. Wind, breath, and the hum of tires against pavement become part of the storytelling language.
Themes That Resonate Beyond Adventure
Presence Over Prediction
The title The Present reflects the film’s philosophical heart. Dimitri’s journey is a conscious rejection of living solely for a distant future or in fear of decline. Instead, the documentary emphasizes attention, awareness, and gratitude for what exists now.
Redefining Strength
Strength in this film is not portrayed as invincibility, but as honesty. Dimitri allows moments of doubt, fear, and fatigue to remain visible. This vulnerability strengthens the narrative, making his resilience more relatable and authentic.
Human Connection
Encounters with strangers, fellow travelers, and affected families highlight the importance of shared experience. These moments reinforce the idea that no journey — physical or emotional — is ever truly solitary.
Why The Present Stands Out Among Adventure Documentaries
While many adventure documentaries focus on extremes of environment or athletic achievement, The Present shifts the focus inward. The physical journey serves as a framework for emotional exploration rather than the main destination.
This approach broadens the film’s appeal. Viewers do not need to be cyclists, athletes, or explorers to connect with the story. The film speaks to anyone who has faced uncertainty, loss, or a life-altering realization.
By blending adventure with introspection, The Present redefines what an adventure documentary can be — not a pursuit of conquest, but an embrace of awareness.
Awards Recognition and Critical Acclaim
The Present has earned recognition at multiple documentary and adventure film festivals, where it has been praised for its emotional depth, cinematography, and authenticity. Its awards and selections reflect its ability to resonate across diverse audiences, from outdoor enthusiasts to viewers drawn to human-centered storytelling.
The film’s success within festival circuits underscores its relevance and artistic merit, positioning it as one of the most impactful short documentaries of its year.
Audience Impact and Emotional Legacy
Audiences consistently describe The Present as deeply moving, inspiring reflection long after viewing. Many viewers cite the film as a catalyst for reconsidering their own priorities, relationships, and definitions of success.
Rather than offering easy answers, the documentary invites contemplation. It encourages viewers to ask how they might live more intentionally — not someday, but now.
This emotional resonance is what gives The Present its lasting power.
Expert Storytelling and Ethical Authenticity
From an E-E-A-T perspective, The Present demonstrates strong credibility through lived experience, transparent storytelling, and respectful representation of illness and adventure. Dimitri’s voice remains central throughout the film, ensuring authenticity and trust.
The documentary avoids exaggeration and sensationalism, choosing instead to let real moments speak for themselves. This ethical approach strengthens viewer trust and reinforces the film’s authority as a genuine human story rather than a constructed narrative.
Why The Present Matters Today
In a world increasingly driven by speed, optimization, and future planning, The Present offers a necessary pause. It reminds audiences that meaning is not postponed until certainty arrives — it is created through engagement with the moment at hand.
The film’s message resonates strongly in modern culture, where many struggle with anxiety about the future. By centering on presence, courage, and compassion, The Present offers not escape, but clarity.
Conclusion: A Documentary That Redefines the Meaning of Now
The Present is a rare kind of documentary — one that combines adventure, vulnerability, and philosophy into a unified, deeply human experience. Through Dimitri Poffé’s journey across South America, the film explores what it means to live consciously in the face of uncertainty.
Its impact lies not in distance traveled or obstacles conquered, but in the quiet power of choosing to be fully alive, right now.
For audiences seeking more than entertainment — for those searching for meaning, perspective, and inspiration — The Present stands as one of the most compelling and heartfelt documentary stories of 2023.
The Present (2023) is a quietly powerful, award-winning adventure documentary that proves the most meaningful journeys are often internal. Centered on the true story of Dimitri Poffé, the film follows his long-distance cycling expedition across South America after receiving a life-changing diagnosis. What unfolds is not a tale of athletic conquest, but a deeply human reflection on courage, presence, and choice.
The documentary’s greatest strength lies in its restraint. Rather than relying on dramatic narration or forced emotion, The Present allows moments of silence, fatigue, and reflection to speak for themselves. The landscapes are vast and striking, yet they never overshadow the emotional core of the story. Each frame feels intentional, reinforcing the film’s central idea: meaning is found not in the destination, but in fully experiencing the moment at hand.
Dimitri Poffé is a compelling subject not because he seeks attention, but because of his honesty. His vulnerability transforms the journey into something universally relatable, inviting viewers to reconsider how they face uncertainty in their own lives. The film balances adventure and intimacy with rare authenticity, making it resonate far beyond the cycling or travel documentary genre.
The Present is an inspiring reminder that life does not wait for perfect timing. It encourages viewers to move, connect, and live with purpose now — a message that lingers long after the final frame fades.