What compels a man to push the limits of what is attainable ever higher? After thirty years of relentless struggle with the highest peaks on earth, Marc Batard has finally found the answers to these questions. He had to reach the summit of Everest twice, once shattering the record for fastest time in 24 hours without oxygen, and climb the most difficult faces of the Alps to glimpse the path to inner healing. It was through physical suffering that he was able to confront the pain of his soul. He was finally able to talk about the violence of his childhood, the shock he carried like a ball and chain for decades. Having completed his summit therapy, Marc Batard tells his story in this documentary by Gilles Perret.
A Snowboard Film by Beyond Medals.
Joseph Vallot, geographer, naturalist and mountaineer born in 1854 in Lodève, was a visionary man, full of humor and whose curiosity was insatiable. He had spent some forty years of his life studying the Mont Blanc massif, sacrificing a good part of his fortune to this multifaceted passion. He was notably the first to demonstrate that one could sleep, work and even do science at an altitude of over 4000 meters, at a time when ascents to the summit of Western Europe were still adventurous expeditions. This documentary tribute follows in his footsteps, via the route taken at the time, on foot from Chamonix via the Grands Mulets refuge to the summit of Mont Blanc to the Joseph Vallot observatory nestled at an altitude of 4400m, with a team of guides, journalists and scientists.
Les Etoiles de Midi is an engaging docudrama about some of the more spectacular exploits of French mountain climbers over the last several decades. In one re-enacted story, there is a wartime escape through the mountains, and in another, a daring rescue of a pair of climbers who had been missing. The actors themselves are adept at the sport of climbing, and they give the scenes an immediacy and real daring that brings the stories alive. A combination of their acrobatics and skill and the outstanding episodes in the history of French climbing creates a winning 78 minutes.
Draw
Once again Absinthe Films raises the bar to bring you 'More'. This title marks the beginning of a new era for Absinthe Films as they have broadened their scope to include and properly represent urban riding while still keeping the overall blend fresh and un-repetitive.
Standard Films spanned the globe this past winter documenting the best snowboarding in the greatest mountain ranges to catch the vapors. Witness pro snowboarders descend huge mountain peaks, drop endless pillows lines, boost off huge backcountry kickers, hit unique urban features and destroy custom resort parks. Catch the Vapors is the progression of All Terrain, Freestyle, All Mountain and Backcountry Snowboarding!
Think Thank's most mind numbing, heart stopping freestyle snowboard video ever! Brain Dead Heart Attack marked a decade of snowboard videos for Think Thank, which was always one of the goals when it started. The concept was that the Brain Dead side would feature the dudes who have been around awhile at least in Think Thank videos, some of whom were quite literally brain dead. Heart Attack side would be the launch pad precursor for the new faces who would go on to film for Think Thank Almanac. We were moving out of the brain and into the heart; the heart of a new era of Think Thank, a crew of friends snowboarding together and filming each other, much like how it started 10 years ago.
Absinthe remains committed to documenting these amazing riders with the most timeless and stylish medium: Film. Following up to last year’s question ‘Optimistic?’, Absinthe answers with a crew of riders who overcome obstacles with spontaneity and skill in another full spectrum snowboard film that is down to have some more fun with snowboarding. Ready.
Travel with Dave Hatchett, Nick Perata and Shawn Farmer to North America's most exotic and radical terrain. Witness huge cliff jumps at Squaw Valley, California; tight chute boarding in the southern Sierras and World Cup halfpipe action at Breckenridge, Colorado. Experience extreme descents in Alaska's Denali National Park, and the chest-deep powder of Mt. Baker, Washington. Don't miss this 55 minutes of on-the-edge snowboarding.
Voleurz' That’s Fine documents the antics and exploits of the infamous Voleurz Family, comprised of skiers, snowboarders and skateboarders, making the multi-sport offering one of the most well-rounded and diverse films in the action sports world. Highlights include snowboarder Justin VDP slaying pillow lines in the Whistler backcountry, freeskier KC Deane's jaw-dropping big mountain segment, a raucous urban trip to Ontario with Scott Sych & Matt Brindisi, the unique style of one of skiing's most imaginative individuals, Max Hill (along with the highly entertaining return of Max Hill vs The Intern), skateboarding the streets of Vancouver with Tyler Holm, and of course, the hilarious and not-to-be-missed Winter Volympics. As voted by fans, That’s Fine won Best Web Video of 2011 on ESPN.
Gaston Rébuffat is part of the history of mountaineering. Marseillais prodigy, high mountain guide of the Chamonix guide company and famous for the ascent of the most famous north faces: some are 1st rehearsals, others 1st French or 1st as a guide. Filmed by Georges Tairraz, this masterpiece released in 1955 reveals the beauty of effort and the pleasure of sharing in the mountains. Apart from the feat, the mountains are not there to satisfy egocentric ambitions. A classic !
In 2004, the French Soulflyer team of Loic Jean-Albert, Val Montant and Pierre Desmet aimed to fly over many of the planet's emblematic summits. The rides in this film combine snow, mountains and high altitude with BASE jumping, wing suits, skydiving, and skiing – on Mont Blanc on the French-Italian border, and on Mount Fuji in Japan.
"Ski The Outer Limits" is a poetic exploration of man's "conquest of the useless," his quest to expand the limists of his abilities. Racing, clowning, teaching, flipping and flying - the world's finest skiers define their limits. A philosophical narration brings the story home to anyone wishing to explore their limits.
For the first time ever, director Mike McEntire (Decade, Technical Difficulties) and director Sean Kearns (The Resistance, True Life) have joined forces to bring you the most progressive snowboard video ever - "SHAKEDOWN".
In a sea of over hyped, over saturated snowboard flicks, White Balance stands true and delivers the whole spectrum of snowboarding. From the inner city handrails to the highest peaks in Alaska, this movie is what snowboarding is truly about. Standard Films travels the globe with some of the best snowboarders in the world and upcoming talent.
Neverland is a state of mind, a mountain pushed up from the ground by imagination. Anyone can go but most people have trouble with the simple directions: Follow your dreams. This winter Absinthe dropped down the rabbit hole to explore this elusive place and brought back some mind bending tales and a pocketful of surprises.
In the first winter to show the undeniable effects of global warming, Absinthe Films has explored the effects of a changing planet. For those who live to snowboard, these changes can be perceived as impossible challenges or creative opportunities. Absinthe reconfirms it's ability to find the best conditions when the rest have given up or resigned themselves to the park. Following fifteen individuals through their interpretation of this winter, Absinthe forges another unforgettable snowboard film with it's newest release. Optimistic?
This year, Brad Kremer finds a new home at Mack Dawg Productions, bringing his trademark manic energy, humor, and flawless eye for shooting snowboarding action to Chulksmack. As you’d expect, Mack Dawg once again ‘ups the ante’ with some of this season’s burliest jumps, jibbing, street rails, and awe-inspiring tricks from the world’s top athletes. Chulksmack, a 17mm snowboard film. One millimeter better.
Mack Dawg Productions People Crew is back at it again with our new 2008 release, Down With People. Last years movie We're People Too had major successes, including Austin Smith winning TransWorld SNOWboarding Magazine's "Rookie of the Year" and "Video Part of the Year" from his standout debut.