Vashon Film Institute offers inspiring doc, “Spoke,” on Jan. 7

The film documents the journey of a firefighter who has faced battles far beyond the blaze.

Vashon Film Institute will host a special free screening of the uplifting documentary, “Spoke,” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Vashon Theatre.

The evening will include a discussion with the filmmakers, who will be present at the screening.

According to a press release, the film documents the journey of Rudy Pospisil, a firefighter who has faced battles far beyond the blaze. Confronting cancer three times, Rudy refuses to let adversity define him. Instead, he embarks on an awe-inspiring quest to cycle around the world, testing the limits of his endurance and uncovering the depths of his resilience.

On his solo odyssey, Rudy not only encounters the physical challenges of the open road but also faces the haunting echoes of his experiences on the front lines. These memories forced him to confront a deeply personal and unrelenting battle — one that demands as much courage as any he has faced before.

“We made this movie because we believe in Rudy’s mission,” said the film’s director, Bogdan Darev. “We’re on this journey together because we believe in a communal movie experience, in stories that heal and strengthen human relationships.”

Organizers of the screening, from Vashon Film Institute, describe “Spoke” as “a powerful tribute to the unsung heroes who protect and serve, and to the families who embody their strength … and one that reminds us all to embrace life’s challenges and discover the potential within ourselves.”

To find out more about “Spoke” and see a trailer, visit spokemovie.com.

The film is a production of Itchy Rodent Films, a Pacific Northwest production company comprised of Benjamin Ross Johnson and Bogdan Darev.

Benjamin Ross Johnson was born in Alabama in 1992 and raised in Washington State. As a child, Ben dreamed of making movies and has done so professionally now for 10 years. In a press release, Ross is quoted as believing “deeply in cinema’s transformative power and is dedicated to using the medium to tell thoughtful, emotional stories that bridge the gap between people.” He lives on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula with his wife, three dogs, and toddler daughter.

Bulgarian-born film director Bogdan Darev emigrated to the U.S. at age 18, in 1995. He attended and graduated from acting and film schools. In 2007, Darev left his day job to pursue filmmaking full-time. His documentary films include “This Baba,” the story of an extraordinary Bulgarian grandmother in the U.S., and “There,” a film linked to Darev’s return to Bulgaria after 23 years of being unable to do so, because of his immigration status.

Reserve a free seat for “Spoke” by emailing rsvp@vashonfilminstitute.com.

Vashon Film Institute, presenting the evening, is the organization behind the annual Vashon Island Film as well as other adventures in cinema-going at Vashon Theatre, including monthly screenings of independent, horror and classic films under the banner of VFIPresents.

Find out more by visiting vashonfilminstitute.com.