The Strait Guys

The Strait Guys is an amazing story for many reasons. From the start, I couldn’t help but think that the Strait Guys’ plan was nothing but a pipedream. The resources and construction of an underwater tunnel are beyond my small-brain comprehension. Then again, if you can build the Chunnel, I guess you can build an electrified “InterContinental Railway” with no problem. Of course, the true diplomatic wild card is getting the U.S. and Russia to play along, which oddly is a venture that Putin and Trump could potentially agree upon because billions of economic dollars are now in play benefiting both countries.

As much as this is a tale about getting superpowers to agree to build a tunnel, the documentary is just as much a story about George Koumal, the father of the tunnel. He was essentially the lead figurehead and held in great esteem by everyone the two met, and this was his last chance to see his dream come true. Unfortunately, this trip would produce mixed results as the slow train of bureaucracy would become a major source of tension for him. Watching the endless parade of politicians patting themselves on the back would push Koumal to the point of quitting the project.

“…turns a boring diplomatic trip into an exciting political thriller…”

I’ll be honest, but right from the start, I was pretty skeptical about The Strait Guys. The director is essentially documenting the futile dream of a bunch of hippies who think they can solve world peace and climate change with a massive tunnel connecting two contentious superpowers. But as Koumal and Spencer began finding small successes, I started to believe this could happen while at the same time feeling like the floor could drop out at any time.

The Strait Guys is an incredible story about how four men with a big dream. Minnich turns a boring diplomatic trip into an exciting political thriller, one with a potentially happy conclusion. The documentary is full of thrills and surprises, even though you know the ending without ever having heard this story before.

For screening information, visit The Strait Guys official website.