Aerialist - The Movie
What's it all about?
Aerialist is about Dean Potter and his transformation from rock climber into an aerialist- defined as "an acrobat who performs at height". We have been working on Aerialist in one form or another for years. In 2006, we began shooting new action sequences of Dean practicing what he calls the "Three Disciplines"-Free Soloing, High-lining and BASE jumping- to comlement years of archival footage.
But the story goes back even further.
On January twenty-second, 2002, Jose Pereyra, Dean's dear friend and mentor died while climbing in Mexico. The loss hit Dean at the peak of his speed climbing and alpinism career, and inspired a major re-evaluation of his path, not only as a climber, but as a human being. The realization of how quickly life can be taken from us motivated him to finally take the step he had been considering for years, into the realm of BASE jumping.
His initiation was not easy. In 2004, also in Mexico, Dean suffered his own brush with death while attempting the world's first "BASE line"- (a parachute exit from a highline). Refusing to be confined by his fears, Dean continues to push not only his physical limits, but the limits of physics itself, as well as his own imagination.
One of Dean's trademarks has always been to choose the most beautiful locations for his climbs, high walks and jumps and that is one of the things that sets this film apart. We have been fortunate enough to shoot in some of the most spectacular locations imaginable. From the jungles of Mexico to the peaks of the Dolomites, the Utah desert to the walls of Yosemite- it has been an incredible adventure.
And the shooting continues...