Festival Of Films Adds Second Day Of Award Winners
Fans of the Banff Festival of Mountain Films can double their pleasure in Spokane this year.
Sellouts in recent years for the traveling show that comes to Spokane have encouraged sponsors from Mountain Gear to book two nights for the film showings at The Met on April 3 and 4.
Each night will feature different films, said Bob Clark, Mountain Gear spokesman. The road show, which travels through several countries, features the best of the 140 films announced during the November festival in Banff, Alberta. Among them are “The Tsaatan - The Reindeer Riders”, which was named grand prize winner and best film on mountain culture; “Snowboard,” awarded best film on mountain sports, and “Mountain Gorilla: A Shattered Kingdom,” awarded best film on mountain environment and the People’s Choice award.
Tickets for the shows are $9 in advance or $10 at the door. Tickets for both nights are $15. Groups of 20 or more can get $6 tickets for the Thursday show.
Following is the schedule for the films, subject to last-minute changes.
Thursday, April 3
“The Man Who Reinvented the Automobile:” (France) Don Sergio, born to a slave family in Ecuador, finds freedom at 70 years old after assembling a vehicle from scraps.
“Sotano:” (Italy) Spectacular parachute jumps into a 50-meter-wide natural well in the Mexican jungle.
“Erhard Loretan:” (France) A Swiss climber describes the spiritual dedication that’s taken him to the top of all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks.
“Kayaks and Coconuts:” (Canadian) Kayakers find challenging rivers and curious locals in Guatemala and Honduras.
“Hydrospeed:” (Italy) Alpine boogie boarders streak down glaciers, into crevasses and through waterfalls in a unique 12-minute journey.
“Beating the Odds:” (Canadian) An educational drama of the tragedy that can result when snowmobilers, skiers and snowboarders tempt the ruthless power of avalanche slopes.
“Dead Last: A tale of Triumph:” (USA) The story of Tim Triumph, who ran the Iditirod with a team of cast-off dogs. He won the hearts of Alaskans, but lost the race.
Friday, April 4
“The Reindeer Riders:” (France) Features the mutually enriching relationship of Mongolia’s nomadic Tsaatan people and their reindeer.
“Infinito Sud:” (Italy) Three climbers survive an attempt to climb a wall on Patagonia’s Cerro Torre by bivouacing in an innovative metal box.
“Freestylin’:” (USA) Anything goes as freestyle kayakers look for new moves and wild rides.
“The Survivor:” (Austria) Ski tourists face near-tragedy and miraculous rescue in the Alps; told with humor and a surprise message.
“Legacy:” (Canada) Shocking footage and commentary on the clearcutting of British Columbia’s coastal rain forests.
“Snowboard:” (Italy) Snowboarders make extreme first descents on Mount Blanc.
“Mountain Gorilla:” (England) Wild gorillas of Zaire reveal their personalities. The film, seven years in the making, documents how the country’s political instability is threatening the wildlife.
Rich Landers
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo