Climbing Higher won at Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival

07 November 2016

Czech Film

Climbing Higher won at Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival

Czech Film

Climbing Higher won at Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival

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Czech documentary Climbing Higher by David Čálek won Best Feature-Length Mountain Film Award at Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival. The documentary follows Czech climber Radek Jaroš, who's trying to ascend the Crown of Himalayas, the world's 14 tallest mountains.

Radek Jaroš, the first Czech who competed the Crown of the Himalayas, decided to climb his final 8000er with a camera in tow, giving viewers of this film a rare opportunity to experience his K2 expedition firsthand. The most majestic mountains are suddenly within reach of all who admire their grandeur but would never attempt to conquer them. Audiences live through the climbers’ fears and triumphs as they happen, and feel the burden – at such incredible elevations – of every arduous step and every labored breath. But there is more: the awesome beauty everywhere to behold, for which many have paid the highest price. Climbing Higher is more than a record of a historic moment in Czech mountaineering, it also explores a person’s ability to overcome extreme obstacles, both physical and personal.

“From the dark confines of the theatres we have travelled through landscapes and shared adventures in the most stunning corners of the world. But in this film we also have a complex weaving together of characters; the family and friends from home are as much a part of the expedition as are the climbers and the mountains. Here we glimpse the inner world of climbing. The age-old story of the need to satisfy obsession. The problems of growing up with that obsessive parent. The gratification of achieving the most difficult and dangerous goals. The joy of the return to home. The underlying themes are told in an understated way that allow the viewer to piece together the bigger picture of expedition climbing. This is quite simply good storytelling... in film,” stated jury member, Victor Saunders.

The Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival each Fall in Banff, Alberta is nine epic days of mountain stories that includes profound journeys, unexpected adventures, and ground-breaking expeditions told by authors, photographers, and filmmakers from around the globe. Following the Festival in Banff, the World Tour hits the road bringing some of the audience favourites and special tour edits to various locations. 

Czech Film Center
division of the Czech Film Fund promoting Czech cinema worldwide

Email: info@filmcenter.cz
 

 

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