ctxguide Site Admin
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 Posts: 2422
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Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:12 pm Post subject: |
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The crowd that showed up for the showing of this year's Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour was characteristically enthusiastic as they packed the house. I assume that, as usual, the venue was sold out prior to the doors opening.
The first film, Deep/Shinsetsu, was a surreal visual treat that showcased immensely deep mountain snow skiing through virgin powder. The director and producer, Masaki Sekiguchi, did an excellent job depicting the magical qualities of the Japanese snow. This film earned a CTX rating of 3, but was a bit too redundant for my taste.
Hunlen, a film documenting two ice-climbers as they negotiated the extremely dangerous frozen Hunlen Falls also earned a CTX rating of 3, but it lacked insight. Will Gadd directed and produced the film.
The best film of the tour was Take a Seat depicting the adventures and misadventures of one man and his trek from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Terra Del Fuego in Argentina via his tandem mountain bike. The film was masterfully directed by Ed Stobart and Dominic Gill and was produced by Lucy Wilcox. Take a Seat earned a CTX rating of 5.
Earning a CTX rating of 3, Revolution One put a spotlight on the strange and dangerous niche of mountain uni-cycling. The oddball sport pushed the limits of human balance and sensibilities. Revolution One was directed and produced by Dan Heaton.
Africa Revolutions Tour, directed by Rush Sturges and
produced by Tyler Bradt, detailed an impressive expedition of whitewater explorers as they ran several unpaddled torrents from Madagascar through southeast Africa. This film received a CTX rating of 4 for it's impressive paddling through crazy waters while teaming up with The Sun Catchers Project to promote more sustainable use of fuels in already fuel deficient areas.
The next film earned a CTX rating of 4.5 because it captured a never before seen continuous flight of peaceful floating speed-ride skiers. It was as if they were a band of butterflies wisping down some of the most impressive terrain in the world. Didier Lafond directed and produced Mont-Blanc Speed Flying.
Alex Honnold is no ordinary climber. He attacks some of the largest big wall climbs in the world - without ropes. First Ascent: Alone on the Wall documents his insane passion for climbing perfection with adrenaline inducing footage. Directed and produced by Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen, this film received a CTX rating of 4.5 despite it's endorsement and celebration of a death sport.
The film festival ended with a quirky short called The Ultimate Sking Showdown. Laced with a tongue-in-cheek soundtrack, and showing a weird montage of pro XC skiers and gymnastic stunt skiers, the film earned a CTX rating of 3.5 for it's oddly entertaining creative touch. |
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