Having won the Jury's special prize at Kendal Festival 2008 and the Grand Prize at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival last year, as well as being finalist in Trento and Banff Film Festivals, Blue Hippo Media and Weekday Productions' film 'Andy Parkin – a Life in Adaptation' is now set for a special DVD release.
Win one of the 100 special edition DVDs, with an accompanying piece of Andy Parkin's original artwork, worth £70 each (DVD is available on its own for £12) by entering the competition further down.
About Andy Parkin and the film 'A Life in Adaptation'
The documentary creatively profiles Andy Parkin life and work. It gives a powerful insight into the life of a remarkable man who is regarded as one of the world's finest alpine climbers. Then, just at the very peak of his fitness, he suffered a near fatal Alpine climbing accident and many believed his love affair with mountains would be over.Andy's slow, painful rehabilitation involved painting and creating amazing sculptures of the mountains that nearly claimed his life. In parallel with continued climbing feats, Andy Parkin has also become known for his inspirational artwork. Incredibly, he learned to climb again, adapting to the demands of a damaged body. In 1994, Andy was awarded mountaineering's highest possible accolade, the 'Oscar' of climbing, the Piolet d'Or.
The film production team shot their documentary over 2 years, to reflect the full spectrum of Andy's remarkable achievements. As Andy states in the film, it is probably his most complete and personal work to date.
The Director, David Fair, says: “Having worked in broadcast for many years, I wanted to create something very different to the typical formula for such films. We sought to reveal the determined character behind Andy's rehabilitation alongside his creative triumphs. We have been mindful that this film is a collaboration between us as film makers and Andy – the artist. This is the final statement in that process and is very exciting to see.”
The producer Pip Piper, of Birmingham-based Blue Hippo Media, comments: “Our film saw special collaboration between film-makers, and artist. We were able to create a beautiful result that gave deeply personal insights to Andy. In a journey of discovery for both Andy and the team, we explored how this documentary might evolve in order to create an unusual film. Whilst still in the climbing genre, we believe the film will have appeal beyond the climbing and mountaineering fraternity.”
WIN! One of the 100 special edition DVDs, with accompanying original Andy Parkin artwork
To have a chance of winning, click on the Blue Hippo Website and email the film makers the answer to the following question:ANSWER TO WIN: In which year was Andy's life-changing accident?
At the end of October, Andy flew over to the UK from his home base in Chamonix. With him he had nearly 100 original works that were to be collated with 100 special edition DVDs. This short film was shot in the morning of that day as Andy unpacked the collection of artworks. Here, Andy talks about the amazing variety of pieces he has produced for the DVD and what they represent for him:
Testimonials for 'A Life in Adaptation'
Simon Yates, the author renowned for his part in the saga subsequently portrayed in the famous film, 'Touching the Void', says: “This eloquent and insightful film reveals the mind of an inspiring alpinist and artist.”Well-known British climber, Ian Parnell, says: “An extraordinary film about an extraordinary person. It goes well beyond the surface gloss of most climbing-related films, delving deep into the heart of what it means to be a human being in the mountains, an artist, an adventurer and a survivor. This portrait of Parkin is unintrusive, poetic, moving and completely believable; all-in-all beautiful bit of film-making.”
Kendal Mountain Film Festival Judge, John Innerdale, welcomed the film because: “Andy is regarded as one of the finest Alpine climbers.”
Lee Thomas, Head of Production at Screen West Midlands, says: “This is great news for Birmingham-based Blue Hippo, one of the most dynamic creative producers in the Region. I look forward to seeing this film reach even wider audiences thanks to the special recognition it's received from the mountaineering community at this prestigious event.”
The producers wish to thank Paramo and partners: UKClimbing.com and Climbing Magazine (USA), for their valuable support in helping to make this film possible.
For more information
See the film in HD at the Llanberis Mountain Film Festival 5th to the 7th March.
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