El Chivo

A stirring documentary about accomplished “Ultra Runner” Will Harlan, El Chivo explores the motivations and psychology behind long-distance running while providing a compelling character study of a notable local. By capturing candid glimpses of Harlan’s life on his bucolic Barnardsville farm, local filmmaker Rod Murphy goes beyond Harlan’s headline-grabbing victory in the grueling 50-mile Caballo Blanco Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon to explore the runner’s philosophy and family life. Murphy also captures a fascinating glimpse of the daily lives of the native Tarahumara Indians who have functionally adopted Harlan as one of their own, sharing their traditions with him and dubbing him “El Chivo,” the goat. Murphy’s camera makes the transition from the streets of downtown Asheville to the rugged mountains of northern Mexico with a confident proficiency, and Harlan proves to be a consistently charismatic subject. After screening the film in competition at a number of festivals, director Rod Murphy will be on hand at the Fine Arts Theatre for the Asheville premier of El Chivo on Wednesday, July 14 at 7 p.m.