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8.22.07
Rock and Reel
In September, climbing legend Chris Sharma will make a rare
appearance in Massachusetts as part of the second annual Reel Rock Film Tour.
 Chris
Sharma has tackled big climbs. Now he’s tackling the big screen.
The 25-year-old
climbing prodigy stars in the new flick King Lines, which is the
featured film in this year’s Reel
Rock Film Tour —
an annual event featuring the best new climbing films. The tour kicks
off in September and will travel to nearly 60 cities throughout North
America, including stops in Arlington, Massachusetts, Hanover, New
Hampshire, New Paltz, New York and New York City.
Sharma himself is
expected to make just five appearances on the tour, and one of those
will be at the Massachusetts stop on September 13, where he will sign
posters and DVDs.
More than 10,000
people checked out the first Reel Rock Film Tour as it traveled to more
than 50 cities last year. Organizers bill the tour as more than just a
film showing. It’s an event where climbing fans and outdoor enthusiasts
hang with guest climbers and filmmakers, win prizes from local and
national sponsors, and support local causes. The tour involves local
partners, including retailers, university outdoor and climbing clubs,
and gyms. And, also last year, ten benefit shows raised more than $8,000
for charities, including the Friends of Joshua Tree National Park and
the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation.
And, oh yeah, they
also show movies.
This year’s offerings
are exceptional. King Lines — created by New York-based filmmaker
Josh Lowell — follows Sharma as he seeks out and climbs some of the
world’s most difficult and beautiful rock formations. In 2006, his quest
began off the coast of Mallorca, Spain. Without a rope, he climbed a
route along Es Pontas —
a massive rock arch surrounded by the
Mediterranean Sea.
“What makes this
climb so difficult is that you’re upside down, you’re hanging on your
arms and on your fingertips the whole time,” Sharma said. “On top of
that the wall is absolutely blank for seven feet. You have to actually
just leap through the air and stick another hold.”
A video clip of
Sharma’s effort — which aired on NBC’s Jeep World of Adventure Sports
— won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Camerawork in April.
On the tour, the
opening act for King Lines is the film Committed, which
documents the legendary British appetite for dangerous rock climbing.
Organizers say fans
should buy their tour tickets early as the films will sell out.
To view film trailers
or find out more information about the tour, check out
www.reelrocktour.com.
-D.M.
NORTHEAST TOUR
DATES:
September 13
Arlington, Massachusetts
8 p.m.
The Regent Theatre
Special guests Chris Sharma & Josh Lowell
September 28
New York, New York
8 p.m.
MPHC Climbing
Gym
October 6
New Paltz, New York
7:30 p.m.
Studley Theatre (SUNY)
October 9
Hanover, New Hampshire
7:30 p.m.
Dartmouth College
Photo: Chris
Sharma scales the spectacular rock arch Es Pontas in Spain. (Corey Rich
Photo) |
