"Life is brought down to the basics: if you are warm, regular, healthy, not thirsty or hungry, then you are not on a mountain... Climbing at altitude is like hitting your head against a brick wall - it's great when you stop."

Chris Darwin

Free Solo

Source: . Credit: Internet Movie database,  Licensed under: Public Domain.
Source: . Credit: Internet Movie database, Licensed under: Public Domain.

Meru , the previous film by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, was considered massive hit in terms of documentary films. However, their most recent flick Free Solo surpassed its success in just about every aspect cleaning the award tables as well as collecting praise pretty much everywhere. It covers the stunning free solo ascent of FreeriderEl Capitan2307m by Alex Honnold.

The fact that the photography is stunning is hardly surprising as Jimmy Chin is known for spectacular visuals. What differentiates the film from most other climbing films is human interest side. The film also studies the person behind the feat as well a those who are close to him. This is no doubt heavily affected by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, the other half of the director duo and Chin's wife. She was already award-winning documentary film maker before she was introduced to world of climbing after meeting Chin and working on Meru . They have found excellent mix as evidenced rave reviews and all the awards.

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