22.04. ‐ 27.04.2025
LFFI19_internationales Langfilmprogramm_Free Solo_4

Free Solo

Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

Hands are getting sweaty, breath is getting short: Alex Honnold is in the process of climbing the 1000-metres-high rock face of El Capitan. He seems at ease, in harmony with the mountain and free of any fear of falling. Any single mistake would have fatal consequences now. Ever since he dropped out of university at eighteen years old in order to entirely dedicate his life to climbing, Honnold travels from mountain to mountain in a camper. Alongside his girlfriend Sanni, he is always in search of the next challenge. This time, the challenge is freeclimbing El Capitan. His preparation consists of two-finger pull-ups. After a couple of setbacks, he starts his second attempt and finally he is managing the mountain.

Free Solo shows Alex Honnold´s attempt of freeclimbing 1000-metres-high El Capitan in Yosemite National Park – as the first person ever. A comparison of the mountain and Honnold seems impossible: he keeps falling during his secured rehearsal mountings. A popular climber calls his project the “moon landing of the climbers´ sphere”. This undertaking is accompanied by powerful and fascinating images of nature. 

More information Lichter FilmfestLichter Filmfest

Direction Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Year USA 2018
Duration 97 min
Language English Original
Production Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Shannon Dill, Evan Hayes
Cast Alex Honnold
Camera Jimmy Chin


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