How did you meet?
Patrizia: I’m originally from Italy, and Marie is from Germany, but we settled in the French Basque Country because of our love for the ocean and mountains. We met several years ago in Morocco and became best friends a few years later on a road trip to Portugal.
I’m a writer and director, and Marie is a photographer and producer. We felt this incredible creative connection, which made it easy to explore together! On that trip to Portugal, we discovered we shared the same crazy dream—to cross Africa as women. When Billabong decided to support us, we knew we had to go all in—the dream was set to become a reality.
Why did you name your five-month expedition through West Africa “GUTS”?
Marie: We named our journey GUTS because our gut told us to take this wild trip through Africa. Deep down, a small voice urged us to explore Africa to tell the stories of the incredible women we would meet. Sometimes you feel drawn to something without logical explanation, and we just knew we had to do it.
For us, GUTS has two meanings: listening to our instincts and inner voice, and having the courage to take on this journey, which is what our trip and the documentary are all about.
You say you want to be the eyes and voice for people who aim to make a difference on our planet. How are you doing this?
Patrizia: I believe there’s someone in every small village, every corner of the world, doing something extraordinary, not just for themselves, but for their community. The idea was to find these people and share their stories with the world, showing that we can still accomplish a lot if we give it our all. That’s what I love doing when I travel: finding inspiration and sharing it with the world.
What were your impressions of the African women?
Patrizia: Women in Africa have a strength I haven’t seen anywhere else—they carry the weight of the universe on their shoulders and are pillars for their families and communities. During our journey, we traveled through multiple countries with diverse cultures, religions, and social structures, and the circumstances of the women we met changed drastically from place to place.
Some women in Morocco are as emancipated as any Western woman, while in Mauritania, some women still live in slavery, even though it was officially abolished in 1981. Senegal is a vibrant mix, where you see women in mini skirts on the street alongside others in traditional djellabas with their hair covered.
With GUTS, we wanted to give a voice to women from all social, political, and religious backgrounds, showing that it doesn’t matter where you come from. If you dare to trust your gut and follow your path, you will find your truth and accomplish your own miracles.
What vehicle did you use for your expedition?
Marie: We used a Hyundai Galloper, a last-minute decision after our original choice fell through. The Galloper was spacious, making it perfect for our journey as we slept in a Front Runner Feather-Light roof tent and in the car. We couldn’t get a thorough checkup on the vehicle before the trip, so we had many mechanical issues along the way—but what would an adventure be without some mechanical problems?
How did you prepare for the adventure?
Patrizia: Lots of coffee and sleepless nights. It takes time to write out your ideas, visualize the story, reach out to potential sponsors, sign contracts, wrap up ongoing projects, and be ready to leave for five months. Everything was in full swing before we took off.
Which Front Runner products did you use?
Marie: We used many Front Runner products, but the most important was the Front Runner Slimline II roof rack, which provided extra storage space outside the Hyundai. We had a fantastic Front Runner setup. The Wolf Pack Pro storage boxes kept our equipment organized.
We used the camping cutlery set and Expander camping chairs daily, while the spare tire BBQ grill/braai was one of our favorites.
© Jo Savage
What were the best places you stayed or visited?
The authenticity of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, the silence of the Mauritanian desert, and the endless, palm-fringed beaches of southern Senegal. Each of them was special.
Was the trip a success?
We wanted to reconnect with our instincts and inner voice and learn how other women achieve greatness by having the courage to make a change. Our goal wasn’t to reach any specific destination or surf particular waves—everything was guided by our intuition, and now we can say we’ve exceeded that goal.
We met the boldest, bravest, and most inspiring women in Africa, from the first female mountain guide in the Atlas Mountains to the off-road queen of the Mauritanian desert, rising young surfers in Senegal, and tribal women in Guinea-Bissau. You’ll meet them all in the documentary.
What would you do differently if you took a similar journey again?
Marie: We would raise more money beforehand because our finances were tight by the end. Due to mechanical issues, we had to extend our trip by six weeks, so we came back home and had to start working again immediately.
We felt exhausted for weeks after the trip, and funds to complete the documentary were limited. So now we’re doing it the African way—petit à petit, step by step. It takes longer, but we love and enjoy the process.
Tourists love southern and eastern Africa—what do you think are the greatest attractions in West Africa?
Marie/Patrizia: The hospitality. For us, it wasn’t about the places but the people who opened their hearts and homes to us. The many shared teas and fireside conversations. Singing in the car. Constant encounters with new friends who felt like family.
What were the best surf spots along the journey?
Marie: We surfed in every country along the way and loved the variety and consistency of the waves in Morocco. The isolation and empty spots in Mauritania were also amazing. The tropical surf vibes in Senegal and the majestic landscape of Gambia will stay with us forever.
How can people learn about your journey through West Africa or see footage?
We’re still editing our documentary, going through all the crazy footage and inspiring stories. Next up are some film festivals, where we hope the documentary will be shown by the end of the year. We want the film to reach as many people as possible, to encourage all young girls and women to trust their inner voice and follow their path.
We need support to bring the film to life, as editing and marketing are costly. You can support us by donating on our website www.gutsvoyage.com and buying our postcards and prints. You can also follow the project on our Instagram account @gutsthefilm.
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