“The Wall Of Shadows”, Poland
Competition program
Bulgarian premiere:
“The Wall Of Shadows”, Poland, 2020, Eliza Kubarska, 98`
When a Sherpa family is asked by a group of westerners to lead a trek up the never-conquered east wall of | the imposing Kumbhakarna Mountain in Nepal, they’re confronted with a dilemma. Not only is the summit | reputed to be more challenging than Mount Everest, but according to the local Kirant religion, it’s a sacred | mountain that is not supposed to be ascended. | While the father would like to earn the money necessary for his son’s education, the mother, a fierce woman | who supports her boy’s dream of becoming a doctor, is adamant that they shouldn’t hike God’s body. | Director Eliza Kubarska follows the expedition after the family agrees to guide the three foreigners, negotiating | as best they can the pressure to finish the climb, the dangerous conditions and their own religious | beliefs. | Herself an experienced alpinist, Kubarska captures breathtaking images of the majestic landscape, honouring | the spiritual dimension of the environment.
Awards:
Millenium DOCS AGAINST GRAVITY – Audience Award (Silesian Voivodeship),
ORŁY – Polish Film Award – Best Documentary – nomination
German Camera Award – Nomination
Bergen International FF – GRAND PRIX of Documentaire Extraordinaire
Lądek Zdrój Mountain Festival – Best Polish Film
Banff Mountain Film Festival (CA) – Best Film (Climbing cat.)
Moc Gór – Mountain Spirit Festival ZAKOPANE – Best Polish Film
Moc Gór – Mountain Spirit Festival ZAKOPANE – Youth Jury Award
Chamonix Film Festival (FR) – Special Jury Prize
Trento Film Festival (IT) – MARIO BELLO Prize
Ulju Mountain Film Festival – GRAND PRIX
Polish Society of Cinematographers 2021 – Best Cinematography for “The Wall of Shadows” for DoP Piotr Rosołowski
Salem Film Festival (USA) – American Cinematographer Award for The Wall of Shadows – Piotr Rosołowski/ Keith Partridge
Rain International Nature Film Festival (India) – CRYSTAL ELEPHANT AWARD for Best Feature Film
Torello Mountain Film Festival (Spain) – Best Mountain Culture Film
Torello Mountain Film Festival – Best Photography Award
Krakow Mountain Festival (PL) – Best Mountain Film
Vancouver Int. Mountain FF (CA) – Best Adventure Film
Nordic Adventure FF (Denmark) – Best Film of the Year
Zurcher Film Prize (Switzerland) – winner
Domzale Mountain Film Festival (Slo) – GRAND PRIX
Hory a Mesto, International Mountain FF (Slovakia) – Special Mention
