What exactly is a Free Solo? In the documentary, the discipline is explained so: “It is as if one is participating in an Olympic race, and you either get the gold medal or you die.” The end of the quote quite literally. An incorrect grip, a movement with the foot that is not you falls hundreds of meters in depth. The Daring the daring Alex Honnold, a professional extreme climber and a specialist for the Free is bold Solos. The 33-Year-old climbs the steepest walls of rock, like others before him – however, without any backup.

“Free Solo”, in February with the Oscar for best documentary awarded, accompanied Honnold in the preparations for his crazy test project. The Americans, wiry and rather inconspicuous, wants to climb the rock formation El Capitan, in short, the “El Cap”, in California’s Yosemite national Park. On a round-a-kilometre-long Route, which is climbed in front of him, no one free solo. Three hours, he would need approximately for three hours, in which he holds the only power of his body to the wall. Under him, the yawning abyss, and no rope could catch him. For eight years, Honnold has the idea, before he ventures on the rise. If it works, that would be for the sport of climbing, a quantum leap, it is said in the Film.

However, before it is so far, approaching “Free Solo” to the people of Alex Honnold from different angles. The Director-couple, Elizabeth Chai Vaserhelyi and Jimmy Chin tells the story of the youth of the climber, his private life, the commitment of the Foundation named after him, the times a hundred solar systems in Angola. Exceptionally, if the shooting team makes with him to the Training. Chin is a self-climber. He has found a Crew of like-minded people, the extreme athlete to the rock wall to follow and the sample films of climbs – all on a leash nicely, even Honnold at this time. Several cameras are in use. Once you are far away and the conditions back: ant-man vs. giant Rock. Then they swarm around him on a drone and cars up close.

You can get an impression of the tiny little bumps in the Rock, Honnold cling. On which his life depends. Why Honnold does? His mother has an answer: because he feels most alive. But even so, the Film is not satisfied. He drills more. The word “love” had fallen at home never, told, he even hugs it. At the same time his mother was demanding of him. In the meantime, he is even, under pressure. In life, he is not about to find happiness, he says. To him it is always about performance, performance.

A Film close to the people

The athlete faces in the Film, not only the challenge of the rock massif, but also a second, for him is significantly more extreme: After nine years, he has in the Van lived, trying to Honnold to be domesticated. Not from his own initiative, but his girlfriend’s sake. The manages to lead a reasonably stable relationship with the interpersonal communication a little gifted loner. Even if he makes them for the frequent accidents, while the El Cap-preparations responsible. But it could also be the presence of the film team, the Honnold from the rhythm. In the first attempt, he must cancel the Free Solo. “Almost reassuring,” commented Director Chin, “Mr. Spock so nervous.”

The decision to allow the rotary part of the film, is absolutely mandatory. The Crew must ask: Is your presence, Honnold makes mistakes? Or, as the climber says: “Alone is okay, but in front of your friends is crashing? This is bad.“ Rotary team and friend to tremble and fear, while Honnold is hanging over the abyss. The Film remains close to the people, and not lost in the spectacular climbing and nature shots.

on The second attempt Honnold wants to have anybody, he sends his girlfriend home, and forcing the Crew to automatic cameras switching. He does not want to see, if he stands in the dawn at the foot of the rock wall.

only he and El remain the Cap to get as Honnold opens, the gold medal – or die.

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In 23 theaters in new York; OmU: Cineplex Alhambra, Cineplex Neukölln Arcaden, Cineplex Spandau, Delphi Lux, Il cinema, cinema in the culture brewery, Sputnik, Xenon; OV: Cinestar Sony Center, rolling mountain