In Palace Cinemas
Moro Spanish Film Festival
(Reviewed by John Glennie)
An intriguing story of endurance and determination in one of the harshest environments on the planet.
Mateo (Javier Rey) is an avid climber and has been training excessively hard to finally achieve his goal to climb the tallest of the Annapurna mountains – over 8000 metres) on his own. After bidding his anxious parents farewell, we next see him standing at the base of the majestic mountain in the Himalayas. He takes advantage of favourable condition and commences his ascent immediately. While climbing at night with a headlamp, he suddenly plunges into an icy chasm.
Fortunately, he is in the proximity of an isolated cabin where another adventurer and solo climber, Ione (Patricia López Arnaiz) has been taking refuge for several months. Her friend visits with supplies, the latest news and a dog, Lurra, to keep her company. The following day, Lurra’s trusty nose and barks alert Ione to something. She looks into the ravine and sees the unconscious and frozen Mateo. She drags him back to the cabin and he slowly recovers.
Mateo recognizes Ione as the first female to climb all 14 mountains over 8000 metres in record time – sole and without using oxygen tanks. She advises Mateo against the ascent but he is determined, however weather conditions appear to thwart his attempt. When Lurra injures a leg, both Mateo and Ione work hard to save the dog. With a 48-hour break in the storms, Mateo leaves a note for Ione to say he has gone to get more medicine for the dog.
Ione radios to her friend Andy, to advise him and to keep an eye out. When Andy calls back to say there is another storm and that he hasn’t seen Mateo, Ione suspicions are aroused. Through binoculars she see signs of his crazy ascent and again tries to rescue him. This time it looks to be of no avail with intense storms and being stranded at an oxygen-deprived altitude.
During the movie we learn of Ione’s reasons for isolating herself in the remote cabin for months, instead of returning to the waiting throngs of media waiting for interviews after her incredible achievement. When we eventually discover Mateo’s motives for wanting to reach the peak of Annapurna it becomes quite emotional – while also being a death sentence!
I highly recommend this movie – not only for the captivating story and feats of endurance, but also for the stunning Nepalese scenery.
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