Somerville Wednesday

UK, 2004, 9 minutes
Directed & produced by Brian Hall, Keith Partridge, Jamie Andrew
Climber Jamie Andrew returns to the rock after a horrific accident on the north face of the Droites in the French Alps which killed his climbing partner.

Focus: Rock Climbing

USA, 2004, 28 minutes Directed by Ben Stookesberry Produced by Eric Seymour
This tale of whitewater exploration follows a group of kayakers and rafters seeking first descents in Colombia, Chile and Argentina. The film features outrageous carnage, a search for whitewater in Colombia, and the new world-record freefall descent for a raft.

Focus: Sport / Kayaking Type: Action Rating: General; contains a graphic injury (stitches) scene
Adrenaline Factor: High

USA, 2004, 13 minutes Directed by Robert Raker
The highlight of Colorado’s annual Ouray Ice Festival is the challenging mixed (rock and ice) climbing competition. In 2004, of the 26 international competitors, only two make it to the top. This short film captures the breathtaking performances of these two amazing athletes.

Focus: Climbing Type: Mixed Ice Climbing
Adrenaline Factor: High

Canada, 2003, 23 minutes
Directed & produced by Bill Heath
Coupling the wisdom of 100-year-old physicist A.J. Snow with three years of filmmaking in deep, deep British Columbia snow, Nelson filmmaker Bill Heath created a simple work that speaks to his own love of powder. The music, the joy and the beautifully patient photography make us aware of the exquisiteness of the gasping-for–air moments that only come from the deep and the light.

Focus: Skiing

A journey following the toughest race in the world – the 1600 km Yukon Quest dog sled race from Fairbanks, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon. In the coldest depths of the sub-arctic winter, over several mountain ranges, along rivers overflowing their frigid waters, through wilderness where hundreds of kilometers separate remote enclaves of humanity, dogs and humans form teams which combine determination, stamina and love to fulfill their Yukon Quest.

Focus: Sport / Environment Type: Documentary

France, 2003, 8 minutes
Directed by Konstantin Bronzit
Produced by Patrick Eveno, Jacques-Rémy Girerd
The story of a delicately balanced house. Perched on top of a mountain, the house rocks from right to left, much to the displeasure of its occupants.

Focus: Culture Type: Animated; Humour
Adrenaline Factor: Low

In one of the many fjords on the south coast of Greenland, there is what Europeans have baptized "the Thumbnail" -- a granite wall a mile high, the tallest cliff in the world. Cecilia and Roberta, two of today's best mountain climbers, prepare to ascend. They approach the wall by kayak, paddling for several days through icebergs, passing whales and seals. Arriving at the foot of the cliff, they get ready to climb. They think it will take one week on the wall: climbing, sleeping, working together. If they make it, this route will be the longest new route climbed by women.

Focus: Climbing / Ocean Kayak Type