Banff Film Festival’s “Of A Lifetime” celebrates a multigenerational story from the eyes of competitive freeriders.
Feb. 20 was the second night of the Banff Film Festival’s stop in Salt Lake City for its world tour. The night showcased eight films, all featuring personal stories tied to the great outdoors. One of these was “Of A Lifetime,” a story produced by world champion free riders: the De Le Rue family. This 44-minute film takes audiences from Switzerland to the depths of Antarctica.
In likeness to a memoir, “Of A Lifetime” is narrated from each member’s perspective through diary entries. Because of this, there was lightness and a bubbly, conversational tone added to the film as they described their surroundings, how many times they puked on the boat and of course, the many penguins on the vast continent. Each journal entry they made could be turned into a book for any aspiring freerider.
This film is about facing fears and building deeper connections within yourself and with your loved ones. Xavier, Victor and Mila, Xavier’s daughter, all take on different challenges throughout their journey on the white continent. As each chapter unraveled, a sense of adrenaline washed over the crowd.
Chapter I: The Drake Passage
The De Le Rue family spent five days at sea on their way from Switzerland to Antarctica. These five days were filled with vomit bags, unpredictable weather and sarcastic banter between the family members.
As they embarked on the Drake Passage, Xavier — who had explored the wonders Antarctica offers once before — recalled the illness and loneliness he had felt the time before. He said that being there and spending time with his daughter and brother made the trip all the better.
Chapter II: Lemaire Channel
Mila described being in Antarctica as not only peaceful but free.
The next chapter focuses on the fun that comes from dangerous activities. To break from seasickness, the family sets out on their first freeride. These moments provide beautiful, scenic cinematography that has everyone in the audience oohing and aahing from every corner.
Chapter III: An Iceberg Alley
As they ventured onward, I felt more and more anxious watching them climb the steep, snowy hills. Like Mila, I was on the edge of my seat hoping they wouldn’t make a wrong move and fall from the heights of each iceberg. Each mountain became steeper and steeper and the brothers accepted the challenge head-on.
It’s admirable and entirely anxiety-ridden.
Chapter IV: Vernadsky Base
It had been nine months since Ukrainian researchers at the Vernadsky Base had seen any form of human life.
While in search of the tallest climb Xavier had mapped from his previous venture to Antarctica, the De Le Rue family visited the Vernadsky Base. A short moment was shared on screen between these two parties, but it left heavier topics for the audience to ponder before they set out on yet another freeride. The topics of discussion were mainly about climate change and how global warming is rapidly affecting the Arctic — more than we’d think.
Chapter V: Mila’s Birthday
“Of A Lifetime” closed with a cover of Radiohead’s “Exit Music (for a film).” Each angle of the camera was on Mila as her journey of finding her adventurous self again came to an end and began a new one.
This film is described as “handing the torch to the next generation,” and through all the ups and downs — literally — the anxiety and passion, it did that justice.
