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The Living Edens: Bhutan - the
Last Shangri-La Wins Grand Prize at
Banff Mountain Film Festival
A film about the tiny Himalayan country locked
between Tibet and India is the 1998 Grand Prize winner at the 23rd
Annual Banff Mountain Film Festival., presented by Eagle Creek
Travel Gear. "This is a lyrical, multi-dimensional film that
involves the audience in the physical, emotional and spiritual
life of Bhutan," says jury chairman Dr. Glenn Singleman.
The film, selected from a field of 130 films
from 25 countries, is also the winner of the Best Film on Mountain
Environment. Produced by Alex Gregory, Dennis B. Kane and Harry
Marshall of the United States, it tells the story of a community
where time stands still – where nature and religion have
combined to turn a tiny Buddhist kingdom into the last Shangri-La.
Other winners include:
Best Film on Climbing
Everest - The Death Zone
Producers: Liesl Clark, David Breashears, USA
In the wake of the 1996 Everest disaster that
killed eight climbers in a single day, a Nova team headed by
filmmaker and three time Everest summiteer David Breashears,
returns to the mountain to shed new light on the effects of
extreme altitude on decision-making.
Best Film on Mountain Culture
Les forçats du volcan (Slaves to the Volcano)
Directors: Patrick and Axel Charles-Messance, France
Producers: Protécréa, TF1, France
On the slopes of Cumbal, a 4800-metre-high
volcano in Colombia, 30 Pastos Indian families eke out a living by
exploiting the volcano's sulphur and ice. Each day they climb with
their mules up to the heights battling icy winds and toxic fumes
as they risk their lives worming their way into rock crevices and
toiling in unimaginable conditions, all for 30 francs a day.
Best Film on Mountain Environment
The Living Edens: Bhutan - The Last Shangri-La
(as above)
Best Film on Mountain Sports
Kayak Islanda
Director: Alessio Viola, Italy
Producers: Stefano De Benedetti, Artime S.P.A., Italy
Extreme kayaker Shawn Baker returns to the big
screen in "Kayak 2", displaying his incredible style of
descents in the wildly beautiful landscape of Iceland. Known for
its grand icefields and rushing rivers, Iceland offers Baker the
ultimate playground for his special skills.
Special Jury Awards
Huhnerdreck & Asche – Ein Besuch im Paradies (Hen's
Dirt & Ashes – A Visit to Paradise)
Directors: Karl Prossliner, Peter Freisz, Gabrielle Tautscher,
Austria
Producer: Lukas Stepanik, Austria
This film offers a unique opportunity to see an
isolated mountain culture in the Nepalese village of Chayarsaba
through Western eyes, juxtaposed with a view of our own Western
civilization through the eyes of the Shaman and the mayor of the
village as they visit Austria. The wonder, confusion, and surprise
experienced by the two Nepalese farmers reveals the two
contrasting cultures in a way that is moving, personal and
challenging.
Pure
Director: Joachim Hellinger, Germany
Producer: Helliventures Film Productions, Germany
Two snowboarders are carving powder slopes of
the Swiss Alps on a perfect day –
snowboarding in its purest form. Skillful black-and-white
cinematography reduces shapes and movement into shadow and light
and transforms this ride into a psychedelic experience for the
viewer.
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