Siachen, A War for Ice

In northern Albania, ancestral customs still exist, governing the laws of vendetta between families. Sometimes, for generations, an old feud has pitted two clans against each other, condemning them to take turns murdering a member of the opposing family. This blood code, known as the Kanoun, has painful consequences for many Albanians, who are condemned to live in seclusion to avoid being killed.

On July 11, 1961, a rope team of seven men—led by the Italian Walter Bonatti and the Frenchman Pierre Mazeaud—set out to scale the Frêney Pillar on the south face of Mont Blanc. After days of grueling effort—and just as they were nearing their goal—they were trapped by a violent storm. Stranded at an altitude of over 4,500 meters in temperatures of minus 20 degrees, the seven climbers were forced to bivouac in hellish conditions. Exhausted, spent, and with one of their number injured, they displayed extraordinary solidarity, exemplary courage, and a determination that commands respect right to the very end. Yet the mountain proved cruel. Lost in fog, blinded by the darkness, and gripped by the cold, four of the seven climbers perished from exhaustion after a perilous five-day, five-night ordeal in hell. Only three made it down alive, including the Italian Walter Bonatti and the Frenchman Pierre Mazeaud.

Pietro Dal Prà is one of the most famous Italian rock climbers. In the documentary we see him climbing Bec D'Ajal, in the Ampezzo Dolomites. He follows a solo ascent on the “Paolo VI” route to the Pilastro della Tofana di Rozes. The two ascents are a starting point and an opportunity for Pietro to tell about his world of mountaineering and climbing, a sort of journey into the world of vertical in the company of unusual climbing companions, the backpack, fear and emotions.

German musician Uwe Berkemer and the Caucasian Chamber Orchestra would like to deliver a peace message: the language of music is universal. It is indeed possible to perform together and live together in spite of different nationalities (ethnic groups, languages, religions and cultures) and even when at war with one another. The film would like to convey a universal message: you must believe in your own dreams. It doesn’t matter whether or not they come true, at least you will have tried.

An imaginary journey through alpine ice, distant seas, and submerged labyrinths.