100 metros (100 metres) is a Spanish movie that was produced in 2016. Written and directed by Marcel Barrena, the movie is based on the incredible story of a Spanish man suffering from Multiple Sclerosis who decides to take part in an Iron-Man competition that involves: 3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling and 42 km running. The lead part is played by Dani Rovira who takes the role of Ramon Arroyo, a successful marketing personnel who is diagnosed with MS.
Ramon’s world collapses as he’s a father of a young boy and his wife (played by Alexandra Jimenez) is expecting their second child. He goes through denial, followed by anger and depression as the illness progresses.
While attending a chemical therapy with a group of other MS patients, one of them describes the disease as: a bad dancing partner that you need to learn how to dance with.
Another tells him that he’d be lucky to be able to walk 100 metres in the coming years. Ramon’s father-in-law (played by Karra Eljalde) has another opinion about the matter.
Being a retired physical trainer, he decides to take on the challenge of rehabilitating Ramon and getting him ready for the Iron-Man competition that would take place the following year. Starting with the completion of the 100 metres that Ramon suffers greatly to walk, both men proceed to train for the rest of the course: running, swimming and cycling.
Many patients in the hospital look up at Ramon while he prepares for the competition. He becomes a symbol of hope to many.
One day while training for swimming, Ramon suffers an attack that leaves him paralysed on one side. After going through rehabilitation and physical therapy, Ramon is ready once again to train for the Iron-Man competition. He joins in the following year and manages to finish it in almost 16 hours.
The movie not only focuses on the effects of the progressive disease on patients, but on their families too. With the support of his wife, Ramon learns to adapt to his new life and also to his father-in-law despite their differences.
In a way, the disease brings the best of the two men who’d work together to achieve a common goal. Despite the seriousness of the movie and the topic it discusses, the scenes that unites Karra Eljalde and Dani Rovira are the funniest.
Eljalde perfects the role of the grumpy old man who’d seen it all, with his famous quote: giving up is not an option (which happens to be the title of the real Ramon Arroyo’s biography).
The competition scenes were nerve wrecking as the viewer hopes and pray that Ramon reaches the end without any sudden attacks. The audience are treated to scenes of the real Ramon Arroyo crossing the finishing line, surrounded by his wife and two children, and later joined by his father-in-law.
What makes this movie special is the way that it focuses on MS disease: the symptoms, the attacks, the therapy and the social stigma that comes with it. The hospital scenes were shot in Institut Guttman — the hospital where the events took place in— with real doctors and patients participating in different scene.
The movie was nominated for 12 awards and won 5, including best film and best supporting actor and actress. It was also awarded by the Spanish Neurologist Society for its contribution to MS. The movie is a visual treat to those who enjoy uplifting movies that carries a message of hope. For this one it was: when it comes to life, giving up is not an option.
Rasha al Raisi is a certified skills trainer and the author of: The World According to Bahja. rashabooks@yahoo.com
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