Biography Dox

Free Solo

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin
Screening time  
02.03. / Saturday, 13:00 - 15:00 Theatre 1  
02.03. / Saturday, 19:00 - 21:00 Theatre 1  
03.03. / Sunday, 18:00 - 20:00 Theatre 1  
Free Solo follows the American soloist Alex Honnold as he prepares to climb El Capitan, the legendary 900-meter vertical rock face in Yosemite National Park.

The most fearless among mountaineers are the free solo climbers who do not use ropes or any other kind of safety equipment. They also climb at great heights, so even the tiniest mistake could be fatal. This is Alex Honnold’s speciality. Free Solo follows the American soloist Honnold as he prepares to climb El Capitan, the legendary 900-meter vertical rock face in Yosemite National Park. Even with safety equipment, it is an incredibly difficult climb. Ascending it requires complete focus, and Honnold believes that is why his first attempt fails – he feels there are too many people watching, and that includes the film crew. Honnold talks about what motivates him to be a free solo climber, about his fears, his family, and his blossoming relationship with fellow climber Sanni McCandless.

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi is an award-winning director and producer. Her first film, A Normal Life, won Best Documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2003. Her second film, Youssou N’Dour: I Bring What I Love (2008), was released in theatres in the U.S. and internationally. Free Solo (2018) is her latest documentary.

Jimmy Chin

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi is an award-winning director and producer. Her first film, A Normal Life, won Best Documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2003. Her second film, Youssou N’Dour: I Bring What I Love (2008), was released in theatres in the U.S. and internationally. Free Solo (2018) is her latest documentary.

General sponsor

Free Solo

USA
2018, 100'

Directed by:
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin

Cinematography:
Jimmy Chin, Clair Popkin, Mikey Schaefer

Edited by:
Bob Eisenhardt, Ace

Music:
Marco Beltrami

Producers:
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, Evan Hayes, Shannon Dill

Produced by:
Little Monster Films, Itinerant Media, Parkes+MacDonald/Image Nation, National Geographic Documentary Films

Festivals & Awards:

Academy Awards 2019 – Oscar nominee Best Documentary Feature; BAFTA Awards 2019 – Nominee; Toronto International Film Festival 2018 – People's Choice Award; Critics' Choice Documentary Awards 2018 – Best Sports Documentary, Most Innovative Documentary, Best Cinematography; Film Critics Awards 2018 – Best Documentary; Mill Valley Film Festival 2018 – Audience Award; Virginia Film Festival 2018 – Audience Award; IDFA 2018; Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 2018; LA Film Festival 2018