Free Solo

About Free Solo

'Free Solo' is a 2018 American documentary film directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin. The movie profiles rock climber Alex Honnold on his quest to perform a free solo climb of El Capitan in June 2017 - an unprecedented feat in the climbing world. El Capitan is one of the most formidable rock cliffs in Yosemite National Park, rising a staggering 900 meters vertically from the valley floor. The decision to ascend it without ropes, safety gear, or companions (a style known as free soloing) makes this an astounding and mesmerising watch for viewers, and underlines the extreme level of danger involved.

Making / Production

The film was an incredibly complex production, given that filming itself could potentially distract Alex and put his climb at risk. Using remote cameras, and equipment carefully positioned by professional climbers who were also experienced shooters, directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin were able to capture breathtaking and intimate footage of Honnold's historic climb.

Actors

• Alex Honnold as Himself: An accomplished rock climber, who undertook the perilous challenge of free soloing El Capitan. His determination and agility are compellingly portrayed in the film.
• Sanni McCandless as Herself: Honnold's girlfriend, whose concern for his safety provides a deeply human counterpoint to his extreme ambitions.
• Jimmy Chin as Himself: A professional climber, cinematographer and one of the directors of the film, who has to balance his role as a friend and filmmaker.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was shot over a period of two years.
• The filmmakers had to bear the moral responsibility for the fact that filming Honnold's dangerous climb might have added to the risks.
• The film team had rehearsed each sequence of the climb for months to ensure they captured the necessary footage.

Awards

'Free Solo' was richly awarded and recognized for its unprecedented story and craft. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 91st Academy Awards. The film also won a BAFTA in the Best Documentary category, apart from seven Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Quotes

• "Nothing good happens when you give a 100%, only what's necessary happens." - Alex Honnold
• "I don’t understand why anybody would pass on an opportunity to maximize their potential." - Alex Honnold

Music, Soundtrack

• The film’s score was composed by Marco Beltrami who created a wonderful mix of suspense and motivation.
• The song “Gravity” by Tim McGraw in the end credits encapsulates Honnold's thrilling journey.