BANFF #3
Watched 46 minute tour edit.
'Climbing Blind' follows the ever optimistic, very blind, very good rock climber, Jesse Dufton. It has great personality(ies) and no shortage of moments that will have you both laughing and/or crying. The filmmaking & festival limitations gave way for interesting framing and no nonsense storytelling.
This is probably the best film I saw at Banff this year. Loved it!
Plot summary
Acclaimed UK adventure filmmaker Al Lee tells the story of an incredible day in the life of Jesse Dufton. Jesse was born with 20% central vision. At four years of age he was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa: a rare genetic disease that breaks down the retinas' cells, and at age 20 he could no longer read. By his 30s Jesse's vision was reduced to just light perception, with around 1 or 2 % field of view. As a lifelong climber, he flies in the face of adversity and with his sight guide and fiancée Molly sets out on a fantastic challenge - attempting to be the first blind person to make a 'non-sight' lead of the iconic Old Man of Hoy sea stack in Scotland.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 520.53 MB
1280*714
English 2.0
NR
Movie Reviews
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Awesome
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An old man, and an astonishing man
Sometimes, climbers come across as massive egoists, with little concern for others. But Jesse Dufton, the star of this documentary seems to be, to pick an inappropriate metaphor, a very grounded individual. He is also near completely blind; and climbing is the hobby that allows him to enjoy his life in spite of his disability (indeed, he tells us his philosophy is that he is blind not disabled, and it's one he certainly seems to live). Blind men seconding on climbs is something I have seen before: a blind man leading something as spectacular (another maybe inappropaite word, although one is left in no doubt that Dufton appreciates the setting) and difficult as the Old Man of Hoy is truly astonishing and inspiring. Is it stupid? Yes, but in a way, all climbing in stupid. Dufton goes about his ascents with total concentration - he has no other alternative - and is perhaps more safe than many other climbers, although at times it's still hard to watch him in action. This documentary is straightforward, but the story it tells is amazing, and the for those of us with sight, the views are pretty good as well. Dufton hopes one day that medicine will restore his vision, and he too will be able to see what he has done.