Starring:
Distributor: Other
Runtime: 93 mins. Reviewed in Oct 2021
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
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Documentary portrait of Canadian free climber, Marc-Andre Leclerc. It is a moving study with spectacular mountain scenery and close-ups of climbing.
Three years ago there was a test for audience endurance as they accompanied mountain climber, Alex Honnold, in the award-winning film, Free Solo, on his – for him ordinary but for us, edge-of seat – mountain climbing endeavours.
He is one of the talking heads in this same-vein documentary, praising a younger and even more adventurous and enterprising climber from British Columbia, Mark-Andre Leclerc.
Climbers will find this film a must. The scenery is magnificent mountains, from British Columbia to the Rockies, to Patagonia. (Ironically with the official title given to alpinists, there is no climbing in the actual Alps.) The scenery, the up-close and sweeping photography are spectacular. The film is a tribute to the two directors, Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen, who followed Leclerc and his climbing for two years. There are a number of extreme close-ups, making the audience feel that it was there.
Leclerc is a basic climber, using minimal equipment – spiked shoes, ice axes, haversack, when necessary, with tent and food. The film illustrates his techniques, and is with him as he finds crevices, tests rock strength, checks ice solidity, and is always alert for avalanches and other dangers.
When he is introduced, the 23-year-old Leclerc already has an emerging reputation among climbers, many of whom appear throughout the film to testify to his talents.
He could have ruined his prospects with partying in his early adult years, but he put himself back on track. His girlfriend, Brette Harrington, is more than a personal support being a skilled climber herself.
By the end, we feel that we have come to know Leclerc. We have climbed the mountains with him, especially in Patagonia where, not succeeding the first time, he tried again. His ultimate success is celebrated in joyful scenes with the locals.
The ending is unexpected – we join in tributes to Marc-Andre.
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