Director Jennifer Peedom garnered much acclaim and a BAFTA nomination for her 2015 Everest documentary, 'Sherpa'. While that hard-hitting film was a trenchant critique of the Everest climbing industry and the struggles of the Sherpa community, her new film, 'Mountain' is an unbashed celebration of the world's high places and the men and women who are drawn to them. In the new movie, Peedom follows all kinds of mountain athletes, including mountaineers, ice climbers, mountain bikers, snowboarders, wingsuiters, while trying to piece out why they do what they do, and also what it is about mountains that stirs the human soul so.
Made from over 2,000 hours of footage from 15 countries, 'Mountain' promises to be quite an exhilarating viewing experience. Look at the talent involved. Apart from Peedom, the movie boasts of the amazing camera-work of the high altitude climber and cinematographer Renan Ozturk (he shot the haunting 'Meru'), the words of the acclaimed travel writer Robert Macfarlane who wrote Mountains of the Mind narrated by actor Willem Defoe. The emotional kicks are delivered by the performance of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Richard Tognetti, who weaves the music of Vivaldi, Beethoven, Arvo Pärt and others in a score played live by the orchestra.
The movie will be touring Australia in August, with the Orchestra providing the live music. It promises to be some show. And while we wait for the movie to reach us, watch the trailer and weep at the beauty of mountains. For more information, visit mountainmovie.com.au/