UKC On Demand Directory

Ar Gefn y Ddraig (Riding The Dragon)

Ar Gefn y Ddraig (Riding the Dragon) follows Huw Jack Brassington’s attempt to complete the hardest five day mountain race in the world, The Berghaus Dragons Back Race.

The Berghaus Dragons Back Race is the hardest 5 day mountain race in the world! Therefore when I found out that my friend, Huw Jack Brassington (one of the craziest people I know), was planning on running it, I knew that this was going to be a great opportunity for me to make my first Documentary. 

 Having not achieved a commission in time for the start of the race, I almost had to give up on the project. But instead I came to an agreement with the race organisers that I would work for them filming the race, in exchange I would get access to additional footage. As it turned out I am so glad that I persevered with the project as I got to witness the most determined human being that I've ever met push himself to his very limit, both physically and mentally! 

Whilst traversing the spectacular mountains of Wales Huw Jack Brassington had to contend with the surprisingly hot Welsh weather, injury and the ever looming possibility of failure - which is a word that had hardly ever entered his mind before. This amazing journey, mixed in with Huw's unique sense of humour, and his glass half full attitude were the perfect ingredients for an amazing story. 

If the audience, whilst watching this documentary, feel a fraction of the inspiration that I felt when shooting it then I will have succeeded in what I set out on achieving.

Before It Falls

The Totem Pole has captured the imaginations, blood, sweat and tears of the world’s greatest climbers. When their efforts have come and gone the rock, the precarious Totem Pole, is all that endures.

Before it Falls is the first co-production between climbing film makers Simon Bischoff and Mathew Farrell. It was filmed on location on the the Tasman Peninsula, a wild and dramatic outcrop of swell-blasted dolorite columns and cliff tops on Tasmania’s east coast. The Tasman Peninsula is an international tourist attraction, with the precarious Totem Pole one of its crown features. Before it Falls is as much a tribute to the geography as it is a story of human endeavour.

Lee Cossey is a world class climber, but is such a calm and understated character that he is barely known outside his native Australia. Lee has had his eye on the infamous Ewbank route for may years, and is one of the very few people in the world willing to attempt an onsight of such a heinous route, which has only seen two successful free ascents, and to our knowledge, no other onsight attempts. Before it Falls documents Lee's efforts, and helps to share this world in a way that is accessible to climbers and non-climbers alike.

Blocheads

An all action cinematic spectacular, revelling in the UK’s golden age of bouldering.

An all action cinematic spectacular, revelling in the UK’s golden age of bouldering.

Never before have there been so many indoor walls; so many climbers obsessed with training; so many beasts of superhuman strength. That talent is not going to waste. We follow the fearsomely strong Blocheads as they quest for new lines and push the limits of human ability. It’s a story of adventure, rocky passions and mutant fingers. It’s the story of a search for bouldering gold.

There’s history too – we delve into bouldering’s murky past. Once it was just a bit of fun outside the climbing hut. Now it’s ‘a thing’. From the first recorded bouldering in the 19th century, through to the rise of bouldering as a sport, something happened while the traditional climbers weren’t watching. There has been a movement in the force.

We tell the story of the UK’s first outdoor boulder comp, an up-yours to the establishment organised by 70’s developer Jerry Peel. We learn about the Godfather John Gill, and how he influenced a young Jerry Moffatt, the first of a new wave of rockstars who helped shape the modern world of bouldering.

Blocheads includes numerous first ascents, off-the-scale gnarly moves and hair-raising highballs. Sumptuous production. Historical garnish. Anarchy. Daft bits. Awesome bits. Watch it.

The super-star lineup includes: Dan Varian, Ned Feehally, Jerry Moffat, Michaela Tracy, Alex Waterhouse and many more.

Blocheads takes us on a tour around some of the UK's finest bouldering venues. There are classic locations in the South-West, the Lakes, North Wales, Scotland, The Peak District, Yorkshire and the North-East. And there’s a look at some of the country's newest areas with Murlough Bay at Fairhead in Northern Ireland.

Produced and filmed by Alastair Lee

Blood Moon

The film follows Robbie Phillips, Calum Cunningham and Alan Carne as they attempt to open a new climb, ground up, on a 700m Big Wall; Tsaranoro Atsimo in Madagascar.

The film follows Robbie Phillips, Calum Cunningham and Alan Carne as they attempt to open a new climb, ground up, on a 700m Big Wall; Tsaranoro Atsimo in Madagascar. The walls of Tsaranoro are as wild and bold as the country, the rock beautifully carved and the story... that of a real adventure of friends taking the risks that come hand in hand with pushing boundaries. Once the free climbing begins disaster strikes, Alan takes a bad fall shattering his lower right leg, an epic ordeal unfolds to get Alan from the remote big wall to safety. From here the mood changes, Robbie and Calum are left with some big questions and bigger fears as they must decide whether to continue with their push or give in to their emotions as they learn the hardest way possible what it takes to open a Big Wall on one of the sheerest vertical faces in Africa.

Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey

Fred Beckey is the legendary American "Dirtbag" mountaineer who inspired generations of climbers.

Hailed as one of the most influential climbers of all time, Fred Beckey is the original American “Dirtbag"–one who abandons societal norms and material comforts in pursuit of a nomadic mountaineering lifestyle. This rebel athlete’s lifetime of accomplishments set the bar for the entire sport. He shattered records with an unparalleled string of superhuman first ascents, bushwhacking trails and pioneering direct routes thought previously impassable. Beckey burned bridges, eschewed fame and thrived as a loner so that his only obligation would remain conquering the next summit. He kept meticulous personal journals where he mused on everything from arcane geology to his romantic life, to the myriad sunrises he witnessed from vantages not seen by anyone else on Earth. An environmentalist before there was such a term, Beckey’s legacy includes 13 essential books that act as blueprints for new generations. He defiantly continued to climb until passing away on October 30, 2017 at the age of 94. Throughout the 20th Century, Beckey’s accomplishments exceeded anyone in the sport. A rebel athlete with myopic focus, he shattered records with an unparalleled string of superhuman first ascents, bushwhacking trails and pioneering direct routes thought previously impassable. An environmentalist before there was such a term, Beckey’s legacy includes 13 essential books that act as blueprints for new generations. Beckey has entrusted director Dave O’Leske with volumes of his personal journals, rare archival footage, photographs and writings dating from 1933 - 2015. O’Leske is the only person ever to gain unfiltered access to Beckey and have his full cooperation to create a feature film about his life. This 96-minute documentary reveals the untold story of a true American icon. Director Dave O’Leske spent the past decade filming Fred Beckey with unprecedented access, getting to know the mythical man in the mountains of China, across North America and in his Pacific Northwest home. In 2015, O’Leske partnered with a crew of award-winning filmmakers––Producers Jason Reid, Andy McDonough, Colin Plank and Adam Brown, Executive Producer Colin Baxter and Editor Darren Lund––whose past credits include the hit climbing documentary K2: SIREN OF THE HIMALAYAS (2012), the Emmy® Award-winning MAN ZOU: BEIJING TO SHANGHAI (2010), the Webby Award-winning SONICSGATE: REQUIEM FOR A TEAM (2009), and the narrative drama EDEN (2013), which won Audience Awards for Best Narrative at SXSW and the Milan International Film Festival. O'Leske's first film, SPIRIT OF SNOW (2002), won a Special Jury Award at Mountainfilm in Telluride and Best Short Documentary at the Golden Film Festival.

Doing it Scared

18 years after a catastrophic accident which left him with hemiplegia, climber Paul Pritchard returns to the Totem Pole to find out if he has recovered enough to finish the climb.

British climber – now resident of Tasmania – Paul Pritchard, was one of the leading climbers and mountaineers of the 1980s and 1990s, renowned for his hard and extremely bold first ascents. In 1998 Paul was abseiling in to climb the Totem Pole in Tasmania when he dislodged a rock with his rope that hit him on the head, leaving him with a severe head injury that he was lucky to survive: “All I wanted to do was go to sleep but I was certain that if I did so it would have been the last sleep I ever made.” The aftermath of the accident left him with hemiplegia, which means he has little feeling or movement in the right side of this body. Despite this disability, Paul’s continued to live a life filled with adventure: "That accident on the Totem Pole was the best thing that ever happened to me.” Eighteen years later Paul returns to the Totem Pole to find out if he has recovered enough to finish the climb. “There are a thousand reasons not to climb a mountain: rock-fall, hypothermia, falling off, avalanche, altitude sickness, severe weather or just the hard work of it. However, there is but one singular reason to climb when you look at it carefully.” This is a film about an extraordinary man on an inspiring life journey, his continuing recovery from a crushing injury and the never waning desire for adventure. This is a film about determination and acceptance, patience and humility, grace, and ultimately, freedom. “Its a very scenic place to have a head injury, that's for sure!” Paul Pritchard

This project became a labour of love the very moment a large group of Paul's friends came together to help out in planning the logistics of the climb. Rummin Productions in association with Ignite Digi filmed the climb as it unfolded from every angle including from the air through the use of drones. After the climb, the Australian National broadcaster picked up the story and filmed some more interviews, producing a half hour of television for an Australian Story program, which aired in July 2016. Thanks to some great artistic collaboration over many months, and a successful crowd funding campaign that helped make it a reality; Rummin Productions have now produced this short film that gives audiences the chance to see Paul go full circle and share in his personal triumph at long last.

Free Solo

Alex Honnold completes the first free solo climb of famed El Capitan's 3,000-foot vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park.

From award-winning documentary filmmaker E. Chai Vasarhelyi and world-renowned photographer and mountaineer Jimmy Chin, the directors of “MERU,” comes FREE SOLO, a stunning, intimate and unflinching portrait of free soloist climber Alex Honnold, as he prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: climbing the face of the world’s most famous rock ... the 3,200-foot El Capitan in Yosemite National Park ... without a rope. Celebrated as one of the greatest athletic feats of any kind, Honnold’s climb set the ultimate standard: perfection or death. Succeeding in this challenge places his story in the annals of human achievement.

FREE SOLO is an edge-of-your seat thriller and an inspiring portrait of an athlete who challenges both his body and his beliefs on a quest to triumph over the impossible, revealing the personal toll of excellence. As the climber begins his training, the armor of invincibility he’s built up over decades unexpectedly breaks apart when Honnold begins to fall in love, threatening his focus and giving way to injury and setbacks. Vasarhelyi and Chin succeed in beautifully capturing deeply human moments with Honnold, as well as the death-defying climb with exquisite artistry and masterful, vertigo-inducing camerawork. The result is a triumph of the human spirit that represents what The New York Times calls "a miraculous opportunity for the rest of us to experience the human sublime."

Freedom under Load

In the documentary Freedom under Load we get to know the oldest generation of the porters in the High Tatras, who climb with supplies to the mountain huts every day.

With hundred kilos on their backs they are facing storms, blizzards and deep snow. Their craft is not only a profession, but also their way to the calmness. In the documentary Freedom under Load we get to know the oldest generation of the porters in the High Tatras, who climb with supplies to the mountain huts every day. We discover why they have chosen this way of life and why they remain the last of the Mohicans on the European continent. And maybe we find out something about our own load that we carry.

High and Mighty

High ball bouldering -- where a fall could lead to serious injury -- is not for the faint of heart

High ball bouldering -- where a fall could lead to serious injury -- is not for the faint of heart. Add to the equation a level of difficulty at climbing’s cutting edge, and things can get downright out of control. Follow Daniel Woods’ epic battle to conquer fear and climb the high ball test-piece The Process.

Just Anna

In an era where searching out and developing new routes seems uncomfortably out of vogue: all is not lost as we meet Anna Taylor.

In an era where searching out and developing new routes seems uncomfortably out of vogue: all is not lost as we meet Anna Taylor. This remarkable Lakes-based 20 year old is bucking all the tends with stunning new sport routes and bold traditional lines. Including a nervy introduction to Deep Water Soloing by climbing partner Neil Gresham, we face all the challenges and difficulties along with Anna on her journey to one of the great unclimbed lines.

Lowest to Highest

Five friends with disabilities attempt a world first human powered ride from Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre 2150km to Mount Kosciuszko. What could possibly go wrong?

Five men take on an incredible journey, to cycle from the lowest point to the highest In Australia, more than 2000km. They also happen to have serious disabilities, and although that’s just part of their story, their honesty and openness in the face of their challenge makes this an engaging film.

Anna Paxton

This is real life and death crusade. Quite possibly the most life-threatening in the festival. It my not be above 6000m elevation it my not be -60 but my god it demands respect.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

Through the boundless landscape of Australia, five friends attempt to be the first to cycle 2150km from Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre - a vast salt lake in the central desert 15 metres below sea level - to the snow-capped summit of Mount Kosciuszko, the highest peak in Australia. What is a sensational effort for an able-bodied rider may well have been the ultimate challenge for Walter Van Praag with 35% lung function (due to Cystic Fibrosis), Daniel Kojta who is paraplegic and uses a hand-cycle, and Conrad Wansbrough who suffers from a debilitating spinal injury. What is a steady and manageable hill climb to the summit of Kosciuszko for some, was a monumental achievement for Paul Pritchard with half a working body (due to Hemiplegia). To get there, Paul rode a custom built tandem-recumbent-trike with Duncan Meerding, who has 5% remaining vision, although that didn’t stop him from pushing the trike along some of the steepest and roughest parts of the road. Accompanied by a romping great soundtrack, the riders travel through stunning and varied Australian landscapes, cruising past road critters and through clouds of dust kicked up by the onslaught of passing road trains, recuperating in riverside campsites and seeking bike repair shops along the way. The documentary captures the banter, the hardship & remarkable determination they have to complete the journey. " Who hasn’t dreamed of doing something extraordinary? Being disabled does not mean you are unable. Everyone needs help sometimes and by helping each other on the ride, we will show that with a little help, everyone - disabled or not, is capable of extraordinary things. ” (Paul Pritchard)

Magnetic Mountains

A documentary that follows the story of an everyman who, after falling from an Alpine north face, is struggling to find a balance.

A mountaineer taking on his mortality in selfish Pursuits after a huge accident. Cover some serious ground and has some great takeaway morals to live by.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

Highly recommended! One climber’s journey as he recovers from a serious accident in the mountains above Chamonix. Emotional, heartwarming and honest, he asks difficult questions about risk and reward as he reassesses his life.

Anna Paxton

Deep and emotional meditation on risk taking and loss in adventure sports, and the toll that recovery takes. A unique and much needed film.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

A film that needed to be made. Its powerful insights on risk, climbing and finding one's place in the world will stay with you long after experiencing this cinematic masterpiece.

Ruth Farrar

"Fascinating and very moving" - Sir Chris Bonington 

 "Powerful and thought-provoking" - Ed Douglas 

 "An important, beautiful film" - Andy Kirkpatrick 

Magnetic Mountains is an independent documentary that follows the story of an everyman who, after falling from an Alpine north face, is struggling to find a balance. Featuring some of the biggest names in mountain sports, it will explore the psychology of risk taking in the mountains, asking – is it really worth it? 

In October 2014, Steve Wakeford, a sports broadcast editor (part of EMMY and BAFTA award winning teams), fell 70 metres whilst climbing a mountain known as Les Petites Jorasses in the French Alps. It was a fall that required him to be airlifted out of the mountains suffering from a number of serious injuries and resulted in him being temporarily left in a wheelchair - he is lucky to be alive. At the start of a long journey of rehabilitation, he began to ask himself some serious questions - 

"Regardless of injury or trauma, why are we drawn to the mountains in the first place?"

Is risk an essential part of what we do? Perhaps most importantly, why is it that I am planning to climb the same route from which I fell?" Having lost his sense of direction and identity, he decided to pick up a camera and document his journey. And so, Magnetic Mountains was born. 

In order to start finding answers, Steve decided to meet with some of the leading figures in alpine sports - Sir Chris Bonington, Tommy Caldwell, Steve House, Andy Parkin, Nick Bullock, Ellen Brennan, Liv Sansoz, Marja Persson, Tom Ballard, Paul Pritchard and more – as well as speaking with university professors, psychologists and the heroic professionals of PGHM Mountain Rescue. 

But if anything, the process led to him needing to ask further, more challenging questions - both of himself and the community in which he is a part of. Is playing in the mountains selfish? What impact does it have on our relationships? What influence does social media have? Can the risks ever be justified? 

When he picked up his camera during his long and dark days of rehab, even Steve couldn't have predicted quite how much the next 3 years would have in store for him. As he prepares to re-climb the route from which he fell, he discovers that perhaps the bigger mountains to climb are, in fact, closer to home...

Mama

Sport climber and a mother of two kids sets herself a new goal - to climb the route that no women has ever done before.

"Mama" is the most personal film from all I've created over the years. It explores parts of ours life that few years ago were completely unknown for me - being a parent and maintaining progress in your passion. My passion is the same as Kinga's - main character of the film. Climbing changed my life 13 years ago and now becoming a father in November I need to adjust to that new role. Making that film showed me that anything is possible. Kinga is the very first women in the world to be a mother of two kids and maintain world-class level sending 9a sport climbing route. Witnessing Kinga's climb live and being able to share it with the audience is a really special experience.

Mira

The journey of a spirited Nepali village girl on her pursuit to being a world-recognised mountain runner.

'Mira' follows the journey of a spirited Nepali village girl on her pursuit to being a world-recognised mountain runner. Growing up in a remote mountain village in Nepal, Mira always dreamed of being successful in sport despite all the challenges that she & other Nepali girls face. After running away from home, Mira joined the Maoist army until as a young adult, she travelled the long distance to Kathmandu to try her luck. Out of money, she was about to return home to her village, when by chance on a morning run, she meets another runner who tells her about a long running race in the local hills. She wins it and soon begins to realise her tough mountain village upbringing has prepared her perfectly for this sport.

This inspirational story, filmed across Nepal, Hong Kong, Australia, Spain, Italy & France tells the story of Mira’s journey in the face of adversity to compete against the world's best mountain runners.

Operation Moffatt

Multi award winning, thoughtful portrait of 90 year old writer and climber Gwen Moffatt.

Operation Moffat takes inspiration and wit from the colourful climbing life of Britain's first female mountain guide, Gwen Moffat. Grappling with her preference for mountains over people, adventure over security, wilderness over tick lists, writer Claire Carter and filmmaker Jen Randall climb, run, scramble and swim their way through some of Gwen's most cherished British landscapes. Including candid interviews with 91 year old Gwen, a fresh take on landscape photography, previously unseen archive materials and unashamedly real action sequences, the film captures Gwen's infectious excitement for a life constantly seeking something strange or beautiful around the next bend.

Psycho Vertical

A raw and emotive documentary exploring the complex life and motivations of writer Andy Kirkpatrick.

Raw and emotive, Psycho Vertical explores the intricate mind of Andy Kirkpatrick, a world-class climber and alpinist who lives a life of conflicting desires, identities and responsibilities, inspired by his best-selling autobiography of the same name. Firmly grounded by his impoverished upbringing in 1970s Hull, from a young age Andy’s head has been in the clouds, filled with grand ideas of discovering who he is and what exactly he’s made of, spurred on by his father’s absence and translated into ascents of some of the world’s most dangerous alpine routes. Though he knows the pain of living in poverty, pursuing his dreams comes before making a living. While compelled to share his chaotic personal life and make audiences crumple with laughter on stage, he chooses to test himself on some of the world’s longest and most difficult climbs totally alone. A proud father, he cannot help but put ambition over security, even if that means risking his life time and again. By exploring his past, his present and his motivation for pushing his limits to the absolute extreme, we follow Andy on an 18-day, solo ascent of El Capitan, where life on the wall is precarious, tough and ‘crushingly lonely’, creating a raw and intimate portrait of one of climbing’s most controversial, unpredictable and adored figures, and exploring themes of identity, fatherhood, and how our pasts shape us, drive us forward and stay with us all our lives.

Queen Maud Land

Six climbers fly to the inhospitable Antarctic range to test themselves on frozen big walls and against subzero temperatures.

A dream team of six elite climbers mount an expedition to one of the world's last great climbing frontiers: the remote frozen towers of Antarctica. Jimmy Chin and Conrad Anker tackle a new route on the 3,600foot Ulvetanna; Savannah Cummins and Anna Pfaff summit the towering Holtanna; and Alex Honnold and Cedar Wright make a harrowing and hilarious blitz of 13 different spires spread across the ice field, including one pitch that Honnold calls "the scariest I have ever led." Queen Maud Land the name of this icy region showcases a stunning, rarely visited wilderness, and the suffering and vision needed to climb at the bottom of the world.

Safety Third

For most climbers, it's safety first. But Brad Gobright is definitely not most climbers.

With solo rock climbing, there’s no rope and no safety net. Every climber has to weight up their own ability against their appetite for risk. An examination of one solo climber’s mindset as he takes his choices and deals with the consequences...

Anna Paxton

Horrendously irresponsible promotion of dangerous climbing or admirable portrait of a skilled climber? You be the judge. The total antithesis of "Testing Ourselves".

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

For most climbers, it's safety first. But Brad Gobright is definitely not most climbers. Fuelled by day-old donuts and unhindered by a fear of falling, this young talent is pushing the limits of scary trad and free solo ropeless climbing in his backyard playground of Eldorado Canyon. 

Having survived a few big scares, Brad is determined to make his boldest ascent yet - a first-ever free solo of one of Eldo's most exposed and difficult routes.

Sherpa

Follow the harrowing story of how Mount Everest’s Sherpa community united in grief and anger to reclaim the mountain following the deadly avalanche that struck on April 18, 2014.

Oscar qualifier, Sherpa follows the 2014 season on Everest entirely from the Sherpas' perspectives.

On April 18, 2014, SHERPA Director Jennifer Peedom captured the massive avalanche that tore through the Khumbu Icefall, killing 16 Sherpas. The 14 million ton avalanche is recognized as the worst tragedy in the history of Everest, and sparked a drastic reassessment of the role of Sherpas in the Everest climbing industry. The film captures the story of the Sherpa community, united in grief and anger, as they reclaim the respected mountain they call Chomolungma.

Boiling unrest in the Sherpa community, which culminated in a highly-publicized confrontation between Western climbers and a group of Sherpas, brought Peedom to the base of Everest. While capturing the shifting dynamics of Everest climbing culture and legendary Sherpa Phurba Tashi’s world record-breaking attempt to summit the mountain, Peedom’s team witnessed the single deadliest day in the mountain’s history.

In a culture that is dominated by the Everest climbing economy and heavily embedded with religion, tensions rise as Sherpas demand governmental changes to their dangerous line of employment. Ultimately, they must decide whether to continue their climb to provide for their families, or to cancel the season out of respect for themselves and those lost in the avalanche.

Showdown At Horseshoe Hell

24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell (24HHH) is the wildest event in the climbing world.

24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell (24HHH) is the wildest event in the climbing world; a mash-up of ultramarathon and burning man where elite climbers and gumbies alike go for broke in a sun up-to-sun up orgy of lactic acid and beer. But all fun aside, the competition is real: can the team of Nik Berry and Mason Earle stand up against the all-powerful Alex Honnold?

Stumped

“I don’t want to be known as just a one-armed climber,” says Maureen Beck, “I just want to be a good climber.”

Ok I'm going to put my hands up 👐 and say that I do find this incredibly inspiring. But then again anyone pushing hard is inspiring. Oh and its hilarious.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

Maureen ‘Mo’ Beck is one hard-core climber! Fun, fearless and fuelled by cupcakes: Mo’s bad-ass tenacity knows no bounds. A highly enjoyable memorable must-see film.

Ruth Farrar

“I don’t want to be known as just a one-armed climber,” says Maureen Beck, “I just want to be a good climber.” Maureen Beck may have been born missing her lower left arm, but that hasn’t stopped her from going hard. 

She takes whippers on 5.12 and crushes overhanging boulders, while shot-gunning beers. But she is not here to be your inspiration. 

“People say, ‘Look, a one-armed climber, now I have no excuses.’ I’m like, dude, you never had any excuses in the first place.” 

Maureen is here to crush the gnar — with one bloody stump helping her get to the top.

The Dawn Wall

In January, 2015, American rock climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson captivated the world with their effort to climb the Dawn Wall.

It's the film that keeps on giving! Just when you think you've come close to understand the reasons behind Danny's determination, there's more on offer. An absolute must-see on the big screen.

Elise Wicker

Hey two men climbed the sheer face of El Capitan in Yosemite. With a stupendously dramatic and fascinating back story that you will never guess when you sit down to watch. Vastly better than most films of its type.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

A huge achievement from the Reel Rock team, some real intimacy as well as achievement,

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

In January, 2015, American rock climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson captivated the world with their effort to climb the Dawn Wall, a seemingly impossible 3,000 foot rock face in Yosemite National Park, California. The pair lived on the sheer vertical cliff for weeks, igniting a frenzy of global media attention. But for Tommy Caldwell, the Dawn Wall was much more than just a climb. It was the culmination of a lifetime defined by overcoming obstacles. At the age of 22, the climbing prodigy was taken hostage by rebels in Kyrgyzstan. Shortly after, he lost his index finger in an accident, but resolved to come back stronger. When his marriage fell apart, he escaped the pain by fixating on the extraordinary goal of free climbing the Dawn Wall. Blurring the line between dedication and obsession, Caldwell and his partner Jorgeson spend six years meticulously plotting and practicing their route. On the final attempt, with the world watching, Caldwell is faced with a moment of truth. Should he abandon his partner to fulfill his ultimate dream, or risk his own success for the sake of their friendship?