59th TrentoFilmFestival, select events

128 films, of which 27 have been selected for the competition. 22 events, 10 exhibitions and 36 lectures with authors. As usual the TrentoFilmfestival is a river in spate of everything to do with the mountains. Touching on literature, alpinism, music and the environment. 11 days in total, from 28 April to 8 May, to celebrate an appointment which is 59 years old (Trento was the world's first mountain film festival) and which, once again, requires a handbook to understand what is going on... One really needs a "compass" to navigate through what's on offer...

Of the various films in the running for the Grand Prize, one to watch out for must surely be A life ascending by Stephen Grynberg. This story about ski mountaineer and Mountain Guide Ruedi Beglinger in British Columbia's Selkirk Mountains won awards at Banff, Kendal, Sierra, and Orlando. Others worth noting are definitely Mi Chacra by Jason Burlage (Banff 2010 Grand Prize) as well as Summer Pasture by Lynn True and Nelson Walker. The "alpinism and climbing" front is well represented by 180º South by Chris Malloy which retraces the journey from California to Patagonia undertaken by Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins, two "legends" of alpinism, surf and adventure and, incidentally, the founders of Patagonia and The North Face. Then of course there are Alpi by Armin Linke, Stick climbing by Daniel Zimmermann and naturally The Asgard Project by Alastair Lee which stars Leo Houlding as he makes the first ascent of the North Tower on Mount Asgard on the Baffin island. Not to be missed is The Swiss machine which stars the phenomenal Ueli Steck. And last but not least, another film definitely worth noting is "Cave of Forgotten Dreams" directed by maestro Werner Herzog: this is his first film in 3D and the first time it is screened in Italy...

Of the various scheduled events (other than Herzog's film debut), the Mountaineering Evenings at Trento are definitely a "must". But first, from a chronological perspective, it's worth noting the traditional FilmFestival opening ceremony with a mute film and live music: this year the festival will screen Arnold Fanck's 1927 masterpiece Der Grosse Sprung, accompanied by excellent music performed by Mario Brunello (violin), Saverio Tasca (percussion) and the SAT choir directed by Mauro Pedrotti and music arranged by Giovanni Bonato. Another event not to be missed is the meeting with Erri De Luca entitled "La difficile arte della fuga" (28/04/2011 at 21:00) which will celebrate the 25th anniversary of MontagnaLibri. And there will also be the classic meeting with Mauro Corona who always holds surprises in store and will talk about "Le mani perdute".

The first mountaineering evening (01/05/2011 at 21:00) will be held by Reinhold Messner who will present "100 years of free solo climbing", from Paul Preuss on Campanile Basso to Alexander Huber, who will be also take part in the evening lecture. To celebrate his return as festival conductor after a 6 year absence, Messner will also concentate on Mountains: danger and ‘exposure’. This will analyse the tragedy on the Central Pillar of Frêney and its exceptional protagonists: Walter Bonatti (absent from the Festival for many a year) and Pierre Mazeaud. But there is more in store. Between one "Messner evening" and the next there is the one directed by Marco Albino Ferrari dedicated to Simone Moro and Denis Urubko who will recount their splendid first winter ascent of Gasherbrum II a few months ago. While on 05/05/2001 it'll be time for British alpinist and climber Leo Houlding. Another meeting which must be mentioned is the "different" evening - and perhaps for this reason even more important - with Neri Marcoré (02/05/2011 at 23:00) and with the Festival friend, writer and "walker" Enrico Brizzi (07/05/2011 at 19:00). But as we mentioned at the start, there is so much going on at the Trento Film Festival, its a question of choosing what suits you most, as you wander here and there through the long 2011 calendar...


59th TRENTOFILMFESTIVAL "SELECT" EVENTS

28/04/2011 at 21:00
Cinema Teatro Nuovo Roma Corso III Novembre n. 35
Erri de Luca in “La difficile arte della fuga”
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of MontagnaLibri. Presented by journalist Alberto Faustini.

29/04/2011 at 21:00
Der Grosse Sprung by Arnold Fanck (Germany 1927)
Opening evening of 59th TrentoFilmfestival

30/04/2011 at 20:00
Screening of “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” by Werner Herzog
The Italian debut of the great German director’s first 3D film. In German with Italian subtitles.

01/05/2011 at 21:00
Reinhold Messner in 100 years of free solo climbing
From Paul Preuss’s Campanile Basso to Alexander Huber

02/05/2011 at 21:00
Simone Moro and Denis Urubko on Gasherbrum II
The story behind a unique first winter ascent. Presented by Marco Albino Ferrari, editor of Meridiani Montagne.

02/05/2011 at 23:00
Leggerezza in quota with Neri Marcorè
A light-hearted evening of readings and music

03/05/2011 at 19:00
Mauro Corona in “Le mani perdute”
Thoughts on the millennium that is losing the use of its hands. Chaired by journalist Alberto Faustini.

03/05/2011 at 21:30
Il diradarsi dell'oscurità. Storie di gente di montagna. 1940-1945
Readings from tales about mountain folk by Fosca Leoni and Michele Comite. Images from the Rovereto History Workshop.

05/05/2011 at 21:00
An evening of mountaineering with Leo Houlding
A meeting with the versatile protagonist of mountaineering and extreme adventure

06/05/2011 at 18:30
Climate, energy and limited resources: could the mountains be the answer?
An evening with meteorologist Luca Mercalli, with special guest David Breashears

06/05/2011 at 21:00
Reinhold Messner in Mountains: danger and ‘exposure’
Walter Bonatti and Pierre Mazeaudi, a 50-year friendship that grew from the tragedy on the Central Pillar of Frêney

07/05/2011 at 19:00
ITALICA 150 by Enrico Brizzi
The tale of a journey through the Bel Paese by Enrico Brizzi, interviewed by journalist Carlo Martinelli

07/05/2011 at 21:00
Closing Evening and Award Ceremony. Punta Emma by Mario Vanzo
Theatre and music dedicated to Toni Gross