Claudio von Planta
"My Long Way Round highlight was getting stuck at the first broken bridge on the Road of Bones."
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Career highlight
1989/90 - Making 'Rebels of the Forgotten World' - a documentary about Papuan rebels in Irian Jaya (the Indonesian-occupied part of New Guinea). It was the most difficult and complicated job I have ever done. I lost a Cesna air-plane on the way and ended up spending six months on my own in the jungle evading the Indonesian army.
I'm passionate about using my documentary film making skills to bring people’s stories to life. Over the years I have been fortunate to work with many impressive and courageous people. I have also discovered lots of obscure places on this planet. Long Way Round was clearly a highlight which brought both aspects together.
First bike:
At the age of 14, I had to build it myself because my parents wouldn't allow me to buy one. My older brother had a huge argument about it but didn't succeed. I started to collect spare parts and picked up bits and pieces in scrap-yards. It took me nearly a year but eventually I made it work - and my parents have never tried to stop me again.
Greatest Long Way Round moment:
Getting stuck at the first broken bridge on the Road of Bones.
Biking song?
Sorry, no idea. I'm from the pre-iPod generation! I play the piano, that keeps me happy...
Ambition for Long Way Down
Surviving the marathon of riding a bike, filming, editing web clips for the BBC website and not falling asleep while I'm driving - and of course, not to get eaten by a lion!
What kind of traveller?
I'm naturally curious. I can never hear enough stories about the life of other people in other parts of the world. I try to learn from their experiences and hope to convey some of this information in my documentaries.
What will you be doing on Long Way Down?
My job is to follow whatever happens and film as much as possible. I will primarily ride on a third motorbike with Ewan and Charley and follow their action.
