Films 2002

African Base - South Africa 26mins
Director: Nic Good Producer: Brian Valentine

The first of five remarkable films at this year's Festival from Nic Good and the Fresh Air Crew. Nic's films have won a bag full of awards worldwide and we are catching up on the past five years. We follow a small group of international BASE jumpers down the East Coast from Durban to Cape Town. Starting with 'Building', they move to 'Antenna' and 'Span' before completing an 'Earth' jump never before attempted - a 2600 jump down the Milner Amphitheatre using bat suits.

Alpamayo - USA 22 mins
Directed and Produced by Michael Ellis

The Cordillera Blanca hosts scores of peaks over 19,00ft but none more beautiful than Alpamayo. This short film follows a group of six climber on a successful climb, but captures a not entirely comfortable view of mountain tourism in South America.

Anna's World - Poland 24 mins
Directed and Produced by Dariusz Zaluski

Anna Czarwinska - Poland's best living female Himalyan climber - reflects on her life and mountain career on the way to the summit of her fifth 8000m peak - Lhotse. This honest and casual study of Anna is belied by the risks and extreme effort which she makes seem commonplace.

Breaking the Ice - the Making of Shackleton - GB 50mins
Director: Jamie Payne Producer: Selwyn Roberts

The excellent four hour production of Shackleton, with Kenneth Branagh as Shackleton, was a new and at times dangerous experience for the actors and the small army of support staff that made he production. This film relives the periods and the locations where the films was made - in Greenland and elsewhere. The passion of both the actors and the crew for the locations and situations they found themselves contributed to the realism and authenticity of the final product.

Cannibals and Crampons - GB 52 mins
Directed by Bruce Parry/Mark Anstice Producer: Ed Stobart

Two ex army officers set out to climb the south face of Mandela, a remote 15,400ft peak in the tropical jungles of New Guinea. To get there, they travel three months through some of the world's most unexplored terrain inhabited by cannibals. Their encounters with the natives are memorable - if in doubt, dress like the locals, penis sheathes included. This extraordinary story of self sufficiency and survival makes Himalayan travel look like bank holiday outings.

Carrying the Burden - GB 30 mins
Director/Producer Sangita Manadhar

This film depicts the open and at times brutal exploitation of porters in Nepal both the trekking companies and the trekkers/climbers who at times will but the health and even the lives of porters at risk to ensure that they have a good holiday. It dispels the myth of the indestructible porter and focuses on the misery they experience, and the neglect and deprivation shared by families for the sake of a few hundred dollars a year.

Christmas Sydrome - Kyrgystan 30 mins
Directed and Produced by Evgeny Kotlov

At first sight, another lesson from the Slavic book of masochism as climbers leave their homes each year to avoid Christmas by spending weeks on the frozen walls of Free Korea Peak. But the juxtaposition and contrast of city life and with extreme life, done with irony and humour, shine through in this gem of a film.

Crown of the Continent - Alaska's Wrangell & St. Elias - USA 29mins
Directed and Produced by John Grabowska

Alaska's Wrangell-St.Elias National Park is a wild, remote landscape of heart stopping grandeur. This film records one man's life long inspirational journey through Alaska's premiere mountain wilderness - a blend of stunning cinematography and an equally grand musical score.

Deepest Patagonia - France 48 mins
Directed and Produced by Luc-Henri Fage

Of the coast of Patagonia is the island of Madre de Dios. Little is known about the island except that its rivers disappear into huge holes. This films records the journey of a group of speleologists and scientists as the explore the amazing cave system in a land of known as the Mother of God.

Dirt Divas - USA 27 mins
Directed and Produced by Anne Walton

Women's mountain biking at extreme locations from British Columbia to the deserts of the Southwest, the Divas reveal what motivates hem to push the limits. The addition of archive footage reveals that the "wheel" represents freedom as important in the 19th century as it is today.

Desert Friction - South Africa 26mins
Director: Nic Good Producer: Brian Valentine

In the Namibian Desert rises a magnificent 1000' spire - the Spitzkop. Up its centre, a barely perceptible line runs up the steep slab to the summit. Two of South Africa's finest rock climbers get to grips with the second ascent of this ill protected route.

Do you like Clam Chowder - Canada 26 mins
Directed and produced by Dave Sarkany

Filmed in the Waddington and Whitemantle Ranges during a three week trip in May 2001, this documentary profiles a ski mountaineering trip with five participants hoping to make a ski ascent of Waddington. In stunning surroundings, the commentary is almost too deadpan as we follow the group's adventures skiing and climbing around Mount Waddington, then kayaking out Bute Inlet.

Forbidden Summits - GB 23 mins
Directed and Produced by Dan Haylock

The film follows a group of British mountaineers exploring and climbing in the newly opened Zaalaaskly Kherebet range in the Pamirs, in memory of the Russian mountaineer Anatoli Baikreev.

Found on Everest - USA 47 mins
Directed and Produced by Riley Morton

Following his expedition's discovery of Mallory's remains in 1998, Eric Simonson returns to Everest in 2001 this time to look for Sandy Irvine. They do discover the site of the 1924 of Camp 6 in an unlikely position after some difficult climbing, but the real drama occurs in the rescue of four climbers from two separate expeditions. At first deadpan, but totally gripping by the end.

Front Range Freaks - Urban Ape - USA 10 mins
Directed and produced by Peter Mortimer

Tim O'Neill turns his hometown of Boulder Colorado into an urban climbing playground, climbing tall buildings at a single push, hassling local citizens and unexpected dormitory residents all in good fun.

Gelada Baboons - The Battles of Brave Heart - BBC Bristol 30 mins
Directed and Produced by Mark Linfield

The Wildlife on One film follows a male gelada in a loosing battle to defend his harem from the bachelor boys. The gelada's are large baboon like monkeys occupying the harsh cliffs and plateaus of the Ethiopian uplands. The film is a rare insight into the social behaviour of these animals - parallels with the climbing fraternity are not totally intended.

Geronimo - Poland 11 mins
Director: Leszek Dawid Produced by the Polish National Film School

Marcin Tomaszewski has dedicated his life to solo climbing. It gives his life a special harmony, or does it? Only he can answer, one climb does not reveal the answer.

Journey to Kanjiroba - Dutch/SA 51 mins
Director: John Bonham Carter Producers: Ellen Windemuth and James Tyson

A film about exploratory mountaineering in the Kanjorba region of western Nepal in the 1960s. John Tyson first mapped the region, and then returned to make two strong attempts on the main peak. The film is punctuated with fascinating archive footage of early trips when travel was more difficult. Many years later, John Bonham Carter returns with John Tyson on a nostalgic journey by to an area that may be more accessible, but new dangers exist.

Jump
Directed and Produced by Allen Hill and John Catto

In the fairytale-like countryside known as the Czech paradise, there are hundreds of slender limestone pillars rising over a hundred feet - often only a tantalising few feet apart. While for centuries this has been a haven for climbers, so too has it supported another remarkable sport: tower jumping.

Kangchenjunga Exploratory - Australia 10 mins
Director: Krysztof Cena Production: Karo Productions

A simple celebration of a trek to a rarely if ever visited part of the
Kangchenjunga which encapsulates the range of sights and sounds that make
Nepal and the high Himalaya such an inspiration and draw for trekkers.

Massoud, An Afghan - France 90 mins
Director: Christophe de Ponfilly Produced by Interscoop

Commander Massoud was blow up by a Talaban suicide bomber on 9 September 2001. The Talaban hoped that without the threat of Massoud, they would be able to hold on to Afghanistan in the face of American retaliation to come. This remarkable film captures some of the charisma (and the war) that enabled Massoud to keep a small part of Afghanistan independent. Filmed over a number of years, it follows Massoud and his supporters in their struggle to defend their home land - remarkable and distressing glimpses into the suffering of this long neglected corner of the Hindu Kush.

Mind the Addiction - USA 59 and 16mins
Directed: Dirk Colins/Todd Jones/ Steve Jones/CoreyGavitt Produced by Teton Gravity Research

We show two versions of a film profiling 12 extreme sports athletes as the ski, board and jump heir way around the world in a mind bogglingly complex array of footage.

Monte Perido - Italian 5 mins
Directed and Produced by Andrea Salvà

For the third year running, Andrea Salvà provides us with an animated film that makes us wonder if progress condemns us to a future of environmental degradation and our dreams and reality will forever seek 'a lost mountain'.

Mustang - Slovakia 28 mins
Directed and Produced by Pavol Barabas

Pavol Babaras' sequence of memorable films continues film shot in controversial circumstances. Mustang although part of Nepal is a kingdom long kept secret from most of the world. It is hidden behind the high wall of the Himalayas, like a wedge driven into Tibet. T is a land of endless wind, tirelessly obliterating all trace of every caravan. Time seems to have stopped in this medieval fortress. Electricity, roads and cars are unknown to these people and yet in some ways they are ahead of us through knowledge of nature and acceptance of their way of life. The fortress of Lo Manthang, continues to guard its secrets.

MX - USA 38 mins
Directed and Produced by Rich Purnell

A showcase of the best leashless dry tool climbers in the USA. The climbing footage is spectacular, following a group of climbers on routes in Canada and Colorado with a finale of spectacular falls to probably the first ever extreme climbing rap music.

No Fiesta Pablo - Slovenia 20 mins
Directed and Produced by Matjaz Fistravec Studio Alp

When a climber decides to film his climb, which comes first, the climb or the film? What is the relationship between the hardship of climbing and the freedom and joy it can provide? This film weaves these themes together and tries to reconcile the personal dilemma of being the star of the film and the filmmaker - what next?

Oceans of Fear - South Africa 26 mins
Director: Nic Good Producer: Brian Valentine

Climber Andy de Klerk can climb just about anything, but he has a dream about learning how to jump off. He matches skills with BASE jumper Pete Zam, taking Pete up the massive overhanging amphitheatre of the Kleinwinterhoek so that Pete can show Andy how to jump off. Winner of best climbing film at Banff 2000.

Orange Unplugged - South Africa 26 mins
Director: Nic Good Producer: Brian Valentine

The Orange River is born high in the Drakensberg Mountains on the Eastern escarpment of South Africa. From humble beginnings, it flows 2000km through the harsh plains south of the Kalahari to reach the Atlantic on the opposite side of the Continent. Four world class white
water Kayakers join forces to run the massive rapids of the Augrabies Gorge.

Ogre - Germany 50 mins
Director: Rudolf Neuwardt Production: Mediabox TV

Thomas Huber leads a team of friends on the second ascent of Ogre, which has waited more than two decades for a repeat. The team not only climb the Ogre, but do a spectacular new route on Ogre 3. This film is shot very much in the tradition of keeping the focus on he climb but captures the essence of a superb and stunningly fast ascent of a very difficult route.

Pushing Winter - Scotland 7mins
Directed and Produced by Paul Raistrick

Hidden in the corries of Scotland are many ski-able gullies - as this films proves. Climbing these used to be a challenge!

Realm of the Golden Eagle - Return of the Big Predators - Austria 50 mins.
Director: Michael Schlamberger Produced by: Michael Schlamberger,

Norbert Winding and Klaus FerhtenbergerPart of a stunning trilogy on Alpine habitats from the ice age to the present day, this third episode tracks the impact of man on he Alps. Full of superstition and lacking comprehension of the balance of nature in alpine regions, vast areas are deforested, minerals exploited and the wolf, bear, lynx and eagle are hunted to near extinction. Climbers also come in for a bit of a slamming, but we know better today, don't we? Some big predators are returning with our help, others on their own accord.

Road Menders of the Impossible - Switzerland 16 mins
Director: Gregory Martin Produced by KSoul

We accompany mountain guides suspended beneath helicopters on a quest to blow up glacier walls and cliffs that threaten to fall onto roads and houses. Dangerous but fun work if you aren't environmentally PC.

San Valentín - South Africa 26mins
Director: Nic Good Producer: Brian Valentine

The Patagonia Icecap is the third largest in the world and at its heart is the 4000m peak of San Valentín Six climbers embark on the long haul across the ice cap to become only the fifth team to reach the summit of this remote peak.

Shiva's Matted Locks - GB
Directed and Produced by Hugh Thomson - GB 48 mins

The 'Beeb' buried this BAFTA winning documentary is an obscure slot so chances are, you haven't seen it. William Dalrymple makes an epic journey along a well-worn route travelled by thousands of pilgrims before him to find the source of the River Ganges. The film is stimulating, funny and thought provoking, a personal exploration of Hinduism that is not afraid to accept the reality of life and culture that so often ends up on the cutting room floor.

So Far West … Its Quicker To Go East - GB 9mins
Directed and Produced by Leo Houlding

It's New Year 2001- the old year is slip, sliding away as Leo and friends take on various boulder challenges to get things "jumping" in Fontainebleau.

The Making of Timeless - Switzerland 26 mins
Director: Gregory Martin Produced by KSoul

Those of you who saw Timeless - video short winner at Kendal 2001 - will have experienced a ski film without a single bad shot. This part travelogue, part adventure answers some of the question: "How did they do that?"

The Rough and Lonely Guide to 8000m - GB 45 mins
Directed and Produced by Toby Molins

Six climbers attempt to climb Cho Oyu without Sherpas and oxygen. The
film deals with the tension that builds as the seriousness of the undertaking cuts into the light hearted attitude of the climbers. After 4 weeks above 20,000', the machismo of the climbers is replaced by an acceptance of the hard work of doing it.

The Second Step - Australia 27mins
Director: Suzanne Davies Producer:

Gary CaganoffIn the heart of Tazmania's World Heritage Wilderness stands Federation Peak, one of Australia's most challenging mountains. Against all the odds, Warren Macdonald spent 28 days hiking to and climbing the peak. The remarkable fact is that Warren is a double above the knee amputee. In so doing, Warren leaves behind the social constraints so readily applied to the disabled and finds the freedom he knew before the horrific accident two years before.

They Don't Understand It - Switzerland 48mins
Directed: Thomas Ulrich/Christine Kopp/ Christoph Frutiger Prod: Visual
ImpactFour Swiss Mountaineers return to Torre Egger to attempt the Maestri-Egger route in hopes of it safer than in summer. This team is convinced that Maestri and Egger did climb the route. The film is part tribute to early Italian alpinists in Patagonia such as Cesario Fava and Casimiro Ferrari, and part homage to friendship and extreme nature, with some close shaves and bizarre fun thrown in.

Tour de Blocs - USA 47 mins
Director: Lorraine Januzelli Producer: David Antony

Beautiful, tricky, scary, powerful and perplexing, the boulders of Fontainebleau are a gathering point for climbers from around the world. This film focuses on the local French masters and the inspiration they find in tackling and creating a seemingly endless new variety of problems.

Trango - GB 43 mins
Director: Steve Long Produced by Icebox Films

The Norwegian Pillar of Great Trango remains one of the world's most inspiring climbs 20 years after its first ascent, which claimed the lives of the successful team. In 2001, Twid Turner, Louise Thomas, Steve Mayor and Steve Long attempt to repeat the route. This is an intimate portrait of life among friend on a big wall, near escapes and ultimate disappointment as heavy snowfall forces retreat.

Uncommon Ground - USA - 55mins
Directed and produced by Robert Frost

New England and the NE of America have produced both iconoclastic grading of routes and a series of characters who have emerged to take the big ranges by storm. Hidden in the woods and the ravines of the White Mountains and Adirondacks are some of the finest granite test pieces in the world, and in winter they get iced up. This humorous and loving portrayal of the area is long overdue.

Unizaba - Canada 10mins
Director: Sean White Produced by Sean White and Derek WesterlundMountain biking on one wheel! Unicyclists Kris Holm and Nathan Hoover climb volcanoes in Mexico and cycle down, but the tricks in Mexico city are even more impressive.

Unparalleled 3 - Soul Slide - USA 50 mins
Directed and Produced by Josh Murphy

Beautifully shot, this all action ski film celebrates "free heel" skiing with some fantastic and almost unparalleled sequences of skiing in a wild locations.

Valhalla - USA/Norway 59 mins
Directors: Trask McFarland/ Arden Oaksanen Produced by Teton Gravity Research

Extreme kayaking has never been more extreme - an assembly of the world's best kayakers do battle with rapids from Bosnia to Norway, with Alaska and Reunion Island and many other locations tossed in.

White Dreams - Bulgaria 54 mins
Directed and Produced by Doychin Vasilev

The reality of Everest Base Camp in 2001is not always pretty, this film frankly and unpretentiously captures the dreams, egos, tragedy, personal struggle and atmosphere of this highest village on earth. The huge commercial expeditions on view are in sharp contrast to some of the world's most distinguished mountaineers drawn to Everest on pilgrimage to pay homage to fallen friends. And beyond the reality of the Everest and Lhotse there are inner encounters with dreams and uncertainty

.Flying Fish - GB 28 mins
Directed and produced by Dave Kwant and Alex Nicks

A journey with several angles - using the power of both the air and water a team of kayakers paddle for days down the remote Himalayan river, but to access the river, the team decide to fly to the get-in cross country in paragliders. Follow the adventure all the way from dreary Scotland (their words - ed) to the rich colours of Nepal.

Looking Back

For IYM, we are presenting one programme of films that take in a range of mountain films from the 20th century. These include Max et Sa Belle-Mere, a slapstick comedy made by Max Linder in 1911, excerpts from Gaston Rebuffat's Etoile et Tempeste from 1963 - winner of the Trento Film Festival 2002 Grand Prize selected from 50 years of Grand Prize winners, Fred Pedula's El Capitan (TBC), Gerhard Bauer's Decision - Gerhard Bauer is the first winner of the International Alliance for Mountain Film's Award for Mountain Filmmaking Excellence, Jim Curran's The Bat - winner of the first Kendal Grand Prize in 1981, and Kurt Diemberger's K2.

Flying Fish - GB 28 mins
Directed and produced by Dave Kwant and Alex Nicks

A journey with several angles - using the power of both the air and water a team of kayakers paddle for days down the remote Himalayan river, but to access the river, the team decide to fly to the get-in cross country in paragliders. Follow the adventure all the way from dreary Scotland (their words - ed) to the rich colours of Nepal.