Shane McConkey stops for a portraits during a BASE jump in Valle de Bravo, Mexico | Alfredo Martinez, Red Bull Content Pool ·
Fall brings with it an array for film premieres to Tahoe and Truckee. This year, there are a variety of ski, rock climbing and outdoor adventure films in store for the community, along with the premier of the much-anticipated documentary “McConkey,” which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival.
“McConkey”
The feature-length documentary film “McConkey” premieres at 5 p.m. on Oct. 5 at the KT base bar at Squaw Valley. The movie is a celebration of the life of McConkey, who called Squaw Valley home. Featuring incredible action footage and Shane’s own home videos, “McConkey” offers a rare look at his most intense risks, as well as an intimate portrait of his personal life.
“McConkey” is a heartfelt examination of the legacy one athlete left to the progression of his sports, and the path he paved to conquer his dreams. McConkey is revered as a pioneer of freeskiing and ski-BASE jumping, and through his talent and ability to use his trademark irreverent humor, he inspired countless lives. Through interviews with friends, family and other action sports legends, the film celebrates Shane and the way he lived.
Hosted by Squaw Valley Resort, Red Bull Media House and Matchstick Productions, the premiere in Squaw Valley promises to be one of the biggest nights in the ski community this season for those wishing to be among the first to experience this amazing story. The public is invited to this celebration of Shane’s life, which will be attended by his closest friends and family, as well as by the filmmaking team.
The outdoor venue for the all-ages event will open at 5 p.m., with the screening to start at sundown. Attendees are advised to dress accordingly. Blankets and chairs are welcome, with food and beverages available for purchase on site. After the movie, there will be a live musical performance by a surprise guest artist. Tickets are $15. In the event of cancellation due to inclement weather, a backup screening will be scheduled indoors on Oct. 6 at Olympic Valley Lodge. No outside alcohol will be permitted into either venue.
“McConkey” will open theatrically in Los Angeles and New York in October. On Oct. 8, “McConkey” will be released for digital download and rental through iTunes and other digital retailers including Google Play, XBOX, PlayStation and Vudu; and a 3-in-1 collector’s edition will be released on DVD/Blu-ray through the film Web site and at retail locations. Fans will also be able to rent the film this fall through major cable, telco and satellite providers.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit mcconkeymovie.com.
“Spice Girl” | Courtesy Reel Rock Film Tour ·
Reel Rock Film Tour
The 8th Annual Reel Rock Film Tour brings the best in climbing and adventure films to High Altitude Fitness on Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Moviegoers also will enjoy prize giveaways, auction, appearances by top climbers and more. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at reelrocktour.com.
“The Sensei” features 43-year-old Yuji Hirayama, one of the great legends of modern climbing. Near retirement, he plans one big swan-song mission to complete a project, one of his hardest ever, at the spectacular summit of Mount Kinabalu, on the island of Borneo.
“Spice Girl” features Hazel Findlay, the first woman to climb the British grade of E9. Findlay is a connoisseur of loose rock, dodgy gear and big runouts. Having mastered the scrappy sea cliffs, at home she teams up with Emily Harrington to tackle the massive, untamed big walls of Taghia Gorge, Morocco.
Mount Everest made headlines around the world this year when it was reported that Ueli Steck and Simone Moro, the strongest duo in alpinism, were attacked by a crowd of angry Sherpas at Camp 2 while attempting a cutting edge new route on the highest and most crowded mountain in the world. Fearing for their lives, the climbers fled the mountain and the incident sparked a flurry of gasps and angry recrimination. Amidst the bizarre event, Reel Rock was embedded with the climbing team and given an exclusive look at what happened that day, and why, with “High Tension: Ueli Steck and the Clash on Everest. ”
“The Stonemasters” follows Sender Films work on a feature documentary about the counterculture-climbing scene in Yosemite over the last 50 years. Provisionally titled “Valley Uprising,” the film brings all the legends to life: from Royal Robbins’ epic battle with Warren Harding to the fabled drug plane crash of 1977 and the escalating tensions between climbers and national park rangers. This year’s tour will include a teaser clip from the film that focuses on the sex-drugs-n-rock era of Jim Bridwell and the Stonemasters.
Ian Provo in the Tordrillo Mountains in Alaska in “Elevation” | Courtesy Powderwhore Productions ·
“Elevation”
“Elevation” by Powderwhore Productions will have two showings in the Tahoe area. The first will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City, with the second showing at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at The Sports Exchange in Truckee.
The movie is part ski porn, part documentary and a full on propaganda piece promoting the joys and wonder of exploring on skis and split-board.
With this resurgence into the backcountry we look for real adventure beyond the tightly wound, firmly stretched orange and black ropes that “protect” us from knowing freedom.
“The backcountry is the imagination unleashed and you get out what you put in,” according to Powderwhore. “There are real boundaries and limitations though; avalanches, exposure to the elements, conditions and fatigue all challenge one to grow in knowledge, patience and fitness. “The joy comes in discovering these limitations, moving through fear and exploring beyond. Putting in the perspiration and inspiration leads to ‘Elevation.’ ”
Tickets to the showings are $10 each, with tickets available at the door. Beer will be provided at each showing by Big Sky Brewery. Visit powderwhore.com for details.
Director Dave Mossop filming “Into the Mind” in the Himalayas from a helicopter | Renan Öztürk ·
“Into the Mind”
The film “Into the Mind” from Sherpas Cinema will be premiering in Truckee on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. and in Homewood at 7 p.m. on Nov. 24. This film features some of skiing’s biggest athletes on location in Alaska, Bolivia, the Himalaya and beyond. The Sherpas blur the lines between dream state and reality, and immerse viewers into the mind of a common skier as he attempts to climb and ski the ultimate mountain.
The Oct. 17 showing also will feature the premiere of the High Fives Foundation’s B.A.S.I.C.S. program service documentary “#HelmetsAreCool.” Doors open at 6 p.m., with show time at 7. As well, Full Belly Deli will be offering its famous Pip Pops and other culinary delights with Alpenglow Sports showcasing the latest in winter sports gear on the newly remodeled back lawn of the California 89. Tickets are $10.
Tickets are $17 for the Nov. 24 show at 7 p.m. at Homewood’s South Lodge. Proceeds from both shows will benefit the High Fives Foundation. To purchase tickets to the show at California 89, visit highfivesfoundation.org. To purchase tickets to the Homewood show, visit ticketfly.com. To see a teaser, visit vimeo.com/54348266.
“McConkey”
Oct. 5 | 5 p.m.
KT base bar | $15
Reel Rock Film Tour
Oct. 11 | 7:30 p.m.
High Altitude Fitness | $10
“Elevation”
Oct. 14 | 7 p.m.
Alpenglow Sports | $10
“Elevation”
Oct. 15 | 7 p.m.
The Sports Exchange | $10
“Into the Mind”
Oct. 17 | 7 p.m.
California 89 | $10
“Into the Mind”
Nov. 24 | 7 p.m.
Homewood Mountain Resort | $17
