Sports documentaries can be thrilling—especially ones about extreme sports. We’ve seen it before in films like ‘Best Documentary’-winner “Free Solo” that chronicle the lengths athletes will go to achieve the impossible, no matter the cost. Given that, Director Eric Crosland’s documentary “La Liste: Everything or Nothing” is an achievement for a different reason. It lets us into the minds of its stars, letting us know the love of the sport of free-skiing that drives their ambitions, while also injecting healthy doses or realism. In fact, ‘everything or nothing’ might be a bit of a misnomer; while the film’s pair athletes risk death, their calculated assessment of those risks—and sometimes abandonment of a ski should the risk be too great—make for a more realistic film than might’ve been.
“La Liste: Everything or Nothing” centers on two friends, Sam Anthamatten and Jérémie Heitz as they tackle some of the highest peaks in search for the perfect free ski at or above 6,000 meters (roughly 19,000 feet). If that seems insane, know that the pair previously tackled skis at 4,000 meters in their previous documentary, “La Liste.” But, as we quickly see, skiing at this height is not about bravado, but caution and patience. Early in the documentary, their friend Mika Merikanto takes a tumble down a mountain and ends up with two broken vertebrae, a temporary brain bleed, and other breaks and cuts that lands him in extensive rehab. It humbles the trio; what we see going forward is not bravado, but prudence. We see that abandoning bad lines (paths down the mountain) or even the climb itself are sometimes part of 6,000 meter skiing.
Two Friends with a Shared Passion, Skill, and Sense of Adventure
As with the aforementioned “Free Solo,” “Everything or Nothing” is not as ‘exciting’ as you might expect. We’re not witnessing hundreds of ski jumps and sick elevation skis, but rather a doc that gets into the minds of its subjects, showing us why and where they do this.
The ‘where’ is all over. The film starts off in Switzerland (and jumps back there frequently), and covers a span of roughly four years. But it’s at its most exciting when Sam and Jérémie head to Pakistan to attempt the mountains there, and we see high, jagged peaks that are intimidating just to look at. In fact, the most fascinating part of the documentary to me was the understated way the pair get to the heights that they intend to ski from. Climbing to extreme altitudes is a given in this movie, training shown briefly early on with some weight and altitude training, almost minimizing the shape these two must be in to simply make it to the summits. They share that they met while rope climbing El Capitan in Yosemite, so we get some idea of how climbing can shift its way into this extreme sport.
Breathtaking Cinematography Chronicling the Climb and Surroundings
The film’s cinematography is done by Leo Hoorn and Joshua Lavigne, and captures the danger of the pair’s climbs—and the thrill of their descents—excitingly. We see steep, uphill climbs, snow-covered peaks, and what look like sheer drops that the pair intends to ski. Additionally, Sam and Jérémie seem to be fitted with helmet cameras that also show the care and precision that goes into their descents. Side skiing and stopping line a lot of their efforts until that perfect line is found upon which to take all the way. Furthermore, Hoorn and Lavigne pull far back with their cameras when the pair executes a ski (for care and safety, I’m assuming), overlaying the proceedings with a fitting soundtrack. I’ll be honest—some of the descents took my breath away with both their thrill, awe, and beauty.
High-altitude skiing takes more than nerves, but patience. (Photo: Sherpas Films).
But what is most palpable watching “Everything or Nothing” is the inherent joy both Sam and Jérémie experience while taking part in this sport. Crosland’s film spent less time than I would like on the psychology of what drives the duo to do this; but about halfway into the doc I realized that was not the point. The joy on their face, the pride in their accomplishment, and enjoying the whole journey is what drives them. They remark that enjoying the whole experience of the ascent (and hopeful descent) is what gives them joy, not only ‘accomplishing’ the impossible.
Understanding What Drives Sam and Jérémie; ‘La Liste’s’ Inner Workings
If there is anything to complain about here it might be that Crosland spends less time delving into the pair’s personal life than we might hope (we learn little about them), but to be fair, unlike “Free Solo,” this sport contains more moving parts. We have to see the peaks, the snow, the climbing gear, the porters, the journey, the descent, and the aftermath to be able to appreciate what Crosland is trying to show. If anything, I came away with a keen understanding of this pair’s athleticism and joy, and it makes watching “Everything or Nothing” worth the journey.
…some of the descents took my breath away with both their thrill, awe, and beauty.”
All-in-all, this is a great and fitting documentary. It shows depth into something most people may know little about, is outlined with emotions and experience, and features some of the most breathtaking visual shots I’ve seen. You walk away with a little more understanding of why Sam and Jérémie do this, and its closing shot, featuring a healed Mika going on a standard ski is a great cap off to a film that is wholly concerned with its participants. “La Liste: Everything or Nothing” is not about extreme sports and damning the costs. It’s about doing what you love, but taking the caution to do it right, and offers a uniquely inspirational film in the process.
“La Liste: Everything or Nothing” is available to purchase on Apple TV, iTunes, Vimeo, and Amazon by clicking here. You can also watch the film via in-person screenings, starting today. To access the screening options for your country, click here.
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