Anyone expecting to watch the same old thing at the Banff Mountain Film Festival was probably in for a big surprise. On April 20, audiences were treated to a range of excellent, top-level films that had them in awe of the lengths to which the filmmakers have been able to reach into themselves and show the rest of us different ways to think and other ways to approach life.
The films, shown at the Roi Theatre, included a captivating collection of short films that showed how we can be much more than so many who spend so much time on video games and other activities that do little to improve us.
It would be difficult to select a favourite from the list, but one of the most impressive was “Still Alive” about a young rock climber who has had to overcome some very large obstacles in order to pursue the activity he loves.
Klass Willems has cystic fibrosis and in his preparation to climb a challenging peak in Sardinia, he discovers he has cancer. His positive outlook and never-give-up attitude is something we should all hope to have when we come across our own challenges.
“Eternal Flame” depicted a breathtaking climb of a 6,200-metre peak in Pakistan followed by an awe-inspiring descent by a pair of French base jumpers. The detail of the climb and jump were recorded with precision and took in all of the beauty, power and anxiety such an event might create.
The loss of a lifetime partner and quest to fulfill their once-in-a-lifetime trip was the theme of “After you’ve gone.” A husband and wife pair of fishing guides dream of a fly-fishing excursion to Argentina, but this is put off when he dies of cancer. She eventually makes the trip and renews her hope and passion for life.
“Slides on the Mountain” tells the story of two young members of the Lil’wat Nation as they prepare to ski down the sacred mountain they grew up beneath. The story is about how they push themselves and their culture to evolve.
A number of other films were also shown.
Bulkley Valley Search and Rescue Society was in attendance to help with the presentation.