Film-maker focuses on climbers

Wanaka climber Allan Uren on an ice climb, an adventure which features in  the film <i> In The...
Wanaka climber Allan Uren on an ice climb, an adventure which features in the film <i> In The Shadow of The Mountains</i>. Photo supplied.
Hugh Barnard has the peripatetic lifestyle and patchwork career common to many a Wanaka outdoor enthusiast.

Last month, he was ski guiding in Alaska. Before that, he was working in Auckland on a TVNZ production about Captain Frank Worsley, a member of the 1914 Shackleton expedition to the Antarctic.

This week, he has been speaking at Wanaka's WildSouth Film Festival, held in conjunction with the Festival of Colour.

Soon, he will be back in his beloved mountains, toting skis and camera for another season of adventure.

Mr Barnard (44) started his working life as a 16-year-old proofreader for the Evening Post (now the Dominion Post), while studying for an English degree at Victoria University, and in 1988 went climbing and skiing in Europe.

He came to Wanaka in 1991 and began an 18-year association with Harris Mountains Heli-Ski.

Two years ago, he relinquished his job as chief guide and operations manager to do a master's degree at the University of Otago's Centre for Science Communication.

He and film partner Max Segal (27), of the United States, were so good at their homework, they won the best direction award at this year's Mammoth Mountain Film Festival. The "no-budget" film In The Shadow of The Mountain is now screening at WildSouth and explores why climbers continue the sport when friends have died.

"I have always been interested in that obvious question why people climb and what motivates them. And particularly our experience, in our community of people.

"We have lost climbers and ski guides in accidents over the years. And I personally have many friends whom I have lost.

"People ask, 'What continues to motivate you people? Do climbers assess the risks and go any how? Do they deny risks?"'

Mr Barnard said in an interview with the Otago Daily Times this week.

Most non-climbers' reaction so far had been "I get it a little bit more."

"But some don't get it. They still say, 'I don't understand why people would do that.' "And some people are really inspired to go into the mountains," he said.

While Mr Barnard created the story, Mr Segal was the production whizz. The non-climber was also a great sounding board and moderating voice, Mr Barnard said.

"It was all teamwork with Max. He had strong post-production editing and music skills that I didn't have. And they are a huge part of getting a film finished," Mr Barnard said.

Several members of the South Island outdoor community were interviewed for the film, including Christchurch climber and psychiatrist Erik Monasterio, Wanaka climbers Lydia Bradey, Dean Staples, Lionel Clay, Dave Vass and Allan Uren and search and rescue co-ordinator Sgt Aaron Nicholson.

Dr Monasterio has published his research in medical journals and reported he found climbers were highly driven, focused people but was surprised they scored lower in seeking "self transcendence".

• In the Shadow of the Mountain was launched on Tuesday and screened again last night. Its final screening is today at 10am at Cinema Paradiso


Today's programme

Daily
• Pouwhenua billboards: Wanaka lakefront (art).
• The Kelliher Collection: Lake Wanaka Centre (landscapes).
• Local exhibitions at Gallery 33 (festival participating artists), 45th Degree (British artist Brenda Hartill), Rippon Vineyard (New Zealand sculpture), Grand • • Mercure Oakridge Resort (COOTS fibre artists), Wanaka Arts Centre (Wanaka Painters and Printmakers Group), Metalworks (Ernie Maluschnig).
• WildSouth Film Festival (full programme on festival and Cinema Paradiso website).

Today's events
10.30am: Roger Hall, Crystal Palace (Aspiring Conversations).
2.30pm: Joe Bennett, Crystal Palace (Aspiring Conversations).
6.30pm: Riverside Drive, Hawea Flat Hall (theatre).
7pm: The Phoenix Foundation, Queenstown Memorial Hall (music).
7pm: C'Mon Black, Glenorchy Hall (theatre).
7pm: Guru of Chai, Luggate Hall (theatre).
7pm, 8pm, 9pm: Hotel, Edgewater Resort (theatre).
7pm, 9.30pm: Ole Ola, Lake Wanaka Centre (dance).
8.30pm: Songs of Kurt Weill, Crystal Palace (music).
11pm: Paul McLaney, Crystal Palace (music).


 

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