Little World

Travelling the world on wheels, guided by freedom and courage

Little World tells the story of Albert Casals, a young Catalan man who has lived in a wheelchair since the age of five, following treatment for leukemia. His life story, which could easily be framed as tragic, is instead presented through his own philosophy of freedom, autonomy, and unwavering optimism. Albert refuses to define himself by limitation and chooses to live without resentment, fear, or self pity.

Driven by a lifelong dream, Albert sets out to travel to the opposite side of the planet without money, luggage, or conventional planning. Relying entirely on hitchhiking and the generosity of strangers, his journey becomes both a physical challenge and a personal statement. Far from rejecting his wheelchair or glorifying it, Albert treats it as a neutral fact of life, focusing instead on movement, curiosity, and human connection.

Albert does not travel alone. His girlfriend Anna accompanies him, documenting their experiences as they cross more than twenty countries, moving from Barcelona towards a remote lighthouse in New Zealand. Along the way, the film blends home video material with traditional documentary techniques, offering insight into their relationship, Albert’s philosophy of life, and his parents’ unconventional approach to raising him.

Directed by Marcel Barrena, Little World is a coming of age story that reflects on independence, attitude towards adversity, and the relativity of limitations. The documentary avoids sentimentality while remaining deeply personal, presenting an intimate portrait of a young man who chooses freedom over fear and action over constraint.