English-born restaurateur Ben Towill and chef Charlie Layton—self-proclaimed "slightly soft chefs"—set out to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in the midst of the pandemic, chasing purpose through an extraordinary challenge. This film follows their physical and emotional journey through 40 days of isolation, exhaustion, and relentless ocean, all to support Charleston’s Green Heart Project. As they push past their limits, they inspire thousands, raising $150,000 and proving that ordinary people can achieve the extraordinary.
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If anyone outside of Ben, Charlie, and their families has been changed by the DreamBoats story, it’s me.
When I was first approached to create a video for the team, I quickly realized that I had to be the one to tell this story. From 2021 onward, everyone who met me heard about the Dream Boats. I saw Ben and Charlie as a real-life Frodo and Sam, leaving behind their ‘Shire’ of comfort and delicious food for grand adventure.
With no budget or outside support but a strong belief in the story, we pushed forward. We worked around the clock, balancing a full-time job while capturing hours of footage, editing late into the night, and conceptualizing a vision that matched the spirit of their journey. Despite challenges–3,000 miles and 40 days later, we had a narrative that went beyond a crossing; it was a story of transformation.
This film explores the power of overcoming adversity, the significance of personal growth, and the importance of friendship and support in achieving the extraordinary. I hope this film inspires viewers to believe that no matter their circumstances, they too can take action and cross their own oceans.
