Mountainfilm on Tour film line up

2022-23 Mountainfilm on Tour Film Synopsis – Indomitable Spirit

North Shore Betty
Travis Rummel, Darcy Hennessey Turenne
Betty Birrell has been biking the fast,  flowy, wooden roller coasters of British  Columbia for nearly 30 years. She’s a  pioneer and legend who pushes limits and  instills her love for the outdoor lifestyle in  her son. At 73, Betty continues to reinvent  herself and inspire younger generations  with the belief that life is just one big  playground.
(USA, 2022, 12 min.)

Trustfall
Stefan Witts
A couple of world-class wingsuit flyers,  Espen and Amber, attempt an unlikely  routine together as professionals and  partners. The film takes us through a  narrative of romance in freefall, diving  through narrow windows of completion that redefine the stakes by which trust  and compatibility in partnership is  defined. The two discuss the beauty and challenges of freefalling through  partnership, the importance of trust and  what it’s like to fly.
(Norway, 2021, 11 min.)

Bacon ‘N’ Laces
Director: Stephen Michael Simon
In Bacon ‘N’ Laces, a blind single father of three manages a classic diner outside of New York City. This father’s love for his children, his perseverance to defy the odds that come with his blindness and his appreciation for classic sneakers is a dose of joy. This short film is a playful portrait of a dad and his children who refuse to be limited by their struggles.
(USA, 2021, 19 min.)

The Farmer
Michael James Brown
Through years of simple living, David Van Dame spent over 35 years of his life dedicated to chasing turns in the Cottonwood Canyon and harvesting powder.
(USA, 2021, 3 min.)

15 MINUNTE INTERMISSION

The Trails Before Us
Fritz Bitsoie
Nigel James’s parents and grandmother are immensely proud that he brought mountain biking to their remote corner  of the Navajo Nation. His grandmother, Lorraine Herder, is gratified to see old  horse trails restored and repurposed.  Mountain biking reminds his father Marvin  of the sacred bond between the Diné  people and horses. Whether they traverse  the landscape on horseback or on bike,  the journey connects the Diné to their land  and traditional culture.
(USA, 2021, 13 min.)

Ascend: Reframing Disability in the Outdoors
Faith E. Briggs
Vasu Sojitra doesn’t want to be called  an inspiration. For the Indian-American  right leg amputee, it’s not his disability,  but instead, the barriers to access the outdoors that must be overcome. His  ascent and ski descent of iconic Mount  Moran’s “The Skillet,” alongside other  mountain athletes of color, brings  solidarity and intersectionality to backcountry skiing.
(USA, 2021, 12 min.)

Breaking Trail
Jesse Roesler
Emily Ford sets out with a borrowed  Husky sled dog, Diggins, to complete  the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail in the midst  of winter. Not only is she the first woman  to attempt the feat, but she is also the  first LBGTQ+ person of color to embark  on the adventure. As her story gathers  momentum in local, national and  international press, Emily learns she’s  become a figurehead to encourage those  who don’t feel like they belong in wild  places — especially people of color — to  spend more time in nature.
(USA, 2021, 30 min.)

Write Your Line
Augey Marc, Collet Andy
A young boy dreams of becoming like his favorite athletes.
(France, 2021, 3 min.)