And the Oscar Goes to…Free Solo!
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When Aquaman himself opened the envelope for Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars last night, he looked down at the winner, gave his co-presenter, Dame Helen Mirren, a cheeky little sideways glance, and announced simply, “Free Solo.”
They did it! Jimmy Chin and Chai Vasarhelyi’s coup, winning filmmaking’s highest documentary honor, was validation on the highest order, a recognition that Free Solo—and Honnold’s journey to climb El Cap ropeless—wowed audiences in a way that went beyond climbing.
[Also Read Chai Vasarhelyi: On The Making Of Free Solo With Alex Honnold]
“Oh shit,” Chin said as he got to the microphone, visibly dumbstruck throughout pretty much the whole rest of his and Vasarhelyi’s acceptance speech.
Vasarhelyi was able to keep it together, and spoke for everyone involved in the film. She thanked National Geographic for “hiring women and people of color, because we only help make the films better.”
https://youtu.be/D85NUx8NneQ
The co-directors went on to thank their children, the “high-angle team” that helped capture Honnold’s incredible feat on film, Sanni McCandless, and—as the music started, letting them know their time was up—No Big Deal himself.
[Also Read Steep Learning Curve: Alex Honnold On His Early Free-Soloing Days]
“Thank you Alex Honnold for giving us courage and teaching us how to believe in the impossible and inspiring us,” Vasarhelyi said. “This film is for everyone who believes in the impossible.”
With that, the Free Solo roller-coaster—from the niche climbing film that could, to a Bafta win, to this—seems to be more-or-less at an end. And what a ride it was!
Also Read
Free Solo Nominated for Oscar!
From Free Solo To Free Solar: The Honnold Foundation Is Growing Up
Alex Honnold, Freerider And What It All Means For Climbing
Alex Honnold – El Cap Free Solo Interview
Alex Honnold’s First Ascent In Memory Of Todd Skinner
Also Watch
VIDEO: Alex Honnold Breaks Down Iconic Rock Climbing Scenes
VIDEO: Note To Self – Alex Honnold On Exploring His Limits
VIDEO: Alex Honnold – TED Talk On Free Soloing El Cap