Fall is officially here in Japan and I can feel the fresh, cool air that precedes winter. For skiers, getting ready for the season is like a ritual: pray for snow, stare longingly at equipment, live vicariously through ski flicks, repeat. This week, I covered the ski movie portion of my winter worship.
Fresh from digital release is the much anticipated “Into the Mind” from Sherpas Cinema, a truly stunning visual work of art. Sherpas Cinema is known for combining talented skiing and riding with environmental concerns and alpine sport safety. In fact, their first project consisted of an avalanche awareness short that was selected for the Banff Film Festival in 2003. The production company is now best know for “All.I.Can” released in 2011, a full feature film that likens the challenges of big mountain skiing to those of climate change.
“Into the Mind” follows suit, presenting the dangers of big mountain skiing in a way that makes you painfully aware of the consequences. Of course, there are the standard hero shots that make you wonder if the pros are demi-gods, but then come the bails, blood and hospital beds that put all doubts to rest: they are indeed of imperfect, fragile constitution just like the rest of us. This is what I respect most about Sherpas Cinema- they tell it like it is.
Ski movies traditionally focus on well known destinations, but it seems the new frontier is unexpected and exotic locations. “Into the Mind” is no exception: with segments in Bolivia, Nepal and Costa Rica, it’s enough to make any Wanderluster drool. What truly sets the film apart though, are the arresting time lapse edits of nature in action and the parallels drawn between those phenomenon and man. It’s sheer eye candy for skiers and non-skiers alike.
Some parts of the movie are more relatable than others. Though I love the shock and awe of big lines and ballsy tricks, I was particularly giddy watching shots of average snow sportsters at Whistler Blackcomb. It momentarily brought the epic movie back down to earth, with little tikes ripping around in snow-plows and investments bankers tearing up the powder. That’s what skiing is really about: the whole family enjoying the beauty and freedom of the mountains.
As an encore, legendary JP Auclair stars in what is now his second urban jib for Sherpas Cinema. For those less familiar with the lingo, imagine a skier using city features as a playground. As for most skiers having grown up in Quebec in the late 90’s, JP Auclair is one of my heros. He is one of the founding fathers of freestyle skiing and at age 37, he still puts all the 20 something park enthusiasts to shame. In “Into the Mind”, he can be found stealthily sliding railings, skimming side walks and dropping brick walls like it’s his job. Maybe that’s because it is.
As a movie of few words, the ones that do punctuate the soundtrack (which I must say is stellar) stick with you: “This moment makes everything worth it”. My thoughts exactly. It’s all about recognizing the pinnacle when you’ve reached it.
I give this movie five stars and two gloved thumbs up. In other words, it’s a must watch.
“Into the Mind” is available for digital download on iTunes and DVD pre-oder from the official website, where you’ll also find the trailer.