A gifted director and cinematographer film their buddies free climbing El Capitan at Yosemite and the like, accompanied by the sublime arrangements of a world class chamber orchestra.
We were lucky enough to catch this in live performance after skiing for the day in the Australian Alps, and I honestly thought we'd be asleep within ten minutes.... but it was riveting. The director Jennifer Peedom brings a wonderfully poetic sensitivity to put the viewer in the picture, as if you are there... awestruck by the majesty of some of the world's wildest places, and pumped by the adrenaline of the risks of personal conquest.
William Dafoe presents a compelling narrative by travel writer Robert Macfarlane with a gravelly charm, and there, in the background, is Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, casting a spell with their beautiful harmonies...when you go and see this at the cinema, if you can bear it, close your eyes during Vivaldi's Four Seasons, and listen to Tognetti's violin soar....you won't be disappointed.
