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Adventure film Everything in Between helps restore faith in humanity, as cyclists deliver Rugby World Cup whistle from London to Tokyo

  • Two strangers cycle across Europe and Asia, and are struck by the day-to-day kindness from every culture and country they encounter
  • A film of their adventure premieres in Hong Kong in December at the Central harbourfront outdoor cinema

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James Owen and Ron Rutland in Tajikistan on their cycle from London to Japan for the Rugby World Cup. Photo: DHL Race to Rugby World Cup

Two strangers cycled from London to Tokyo in 2019 and now a film depicting their epic journey premieres on December 2 in Hong Kong, and will later be available online for a worldwide audience.

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The film, called Everything in Between, shows the countless acts of kindness the pair experienced day in, day out, and the riders hope it will shed light on the good nature of people, no matter their culture or country.

“In some ways, the experiences were similar to what I’ve had before, it was just amplified across the trip,” said James Owens, one of the cyclists. “It just confirmed what deep down I already know – people are awesome. When you need it, people take you in, give you water.”

Owens and Ron Rutland had the task of delivering the referee’s whistle to the opening game of the Rugby World Cup. They picked up the whistle in Twickenham, London, the site of the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, and set off across Europe and Asia for Tokyo.

They covered over 20,000km and passed through 27 countries, including Iran, central Asia’s “Stans” and western and eastern parts of China. In each country, they were treated with immense kindness, sleeping in churches, mosques, monasteries and people’s homes. They were never turned away when they asked for somewhere to stay on the whole journey.

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