Amazonia Vertical

A team of Slovak mountaineers attempt the ascent of the southwest face of Everest, dubbed "the hard way" by Mountaineer Chris Bonington.

With hundred kilos on their backs they are facing storms, blizzards and deep snow. Their craft is not only a profession, but also their way to the calmness. We get to know the oldest generation of the porters in the High Tatras, who climb with supplies to the mountain huts every day. We discover why they have chosen this way of life and why they remain the last of the Mohicans.

An old Slovak legend says: When God created the Earth, He distributed beauty to angels to spread it over the lands. The youngest of them wanted to shorten his way through the high mountains. However, he did not manage to take off higher with the burden. He tripped on one of the sharp shields and all his beauty was scattered across the surrounding valleys. The ancient Slavs gave the wild mountains full of game and superstition the name of the Tatras. Today we know that they are the smallest mountains in the world. Try to look carefully into their kingdom with us. Quietly look around and let your thoughts be carried away by the majesty of nature. You may touch the knowledge of how everything relates to everything in this world. And maybe you will understand your responsibility to preserve the wilderness, which should remain here for future generations as if frozen in time.

The adventurer, Ivan Bulík, traveled all through Africa. However, one of his dreams still eluded him: He desired to capture the life and customs of the smallest people on Earth, to find the undisturbed civilization of Pygmies.

Everyone needs their tribe.

The Brahmaputra, Karnali, and Colorado Rivers are fascinating for many river runners. Particularly, the Colorado River stands out as a unique stage where whitewater rapids unravel Earth's ancient history. Within its wild water, it stirs up cherished memories of a dear friend, whose passion for discovering the mysteries of great rivers inspired many of us. The documentary film Grand Canyon captures adventures of Slovak paddlers dedicated to follow their dreams. Rafting down many rivers and crossing canyons worldwide, they face their biggest challenge now – to raft down the Colorado River. Years of preparation have led up to this defining moment. They face the month-long journey in the canyon, immersing themselves in the untamed beauty of nature.

He is well- known in the world, but unknown in his home country. Slovakian Peter Valusiak took part in more than 20 expeditions to the Polar Regions. In 1998, together with three Russian explorers, he completed the first unsupported crossing of the Arctic Ocean from Russia to Canada over the North Pole. Another great challenge which has been on his mind for many years is to cross Antarctica over the South Pole. The Polarman is portrait of a man who tries to survive alone in the coldest continent.

Mustang, a kingdom whose existence has long been kept secret, on the territoryof Nepal in the fabled land of Lo. It is hidden behind the high wall of the Himalayas, like a wedge driven into Tibet. The afternoon wind blows every day, tirelessly obliterating all trace of every caravan. In front of the royal palacemonks intone ancient Buddhist prayers over and over again. Time seems to have stopped in this medieval fortress. Electricity, roads and cars are unknown to these people and yet in some ways they are ahead of us. In their incredible knowledge of nature and in their way of life. The fortress of Lo Mantang, however, continues to guard its secrets

The portrait of composer Svetozár Stračina pays tribute to an extraordinary creative force who has left behind a vast, significant musical legacy. He was an extraordinary artist who stands out from any “folder”. A boheme who perceived inherently and cultivated the authentic folklore. A composer whose creations inspire also those who avoid folklore. Stračina not only substantially contributed to the ethnomusicological repertoire, he helped create an enormous amount of legendary film music, whose originality stands up to the test of time.

Thanks to its inaccessibility, both natural and political, Irian Jaya is the only remaining place where civilized man can come into contact with the primitive world. Until now no expedition had managed the march from the centre of the country to the River Mamberamo, which hides its secrets from the white world.

It is a unique record of the crossing of Antarctica, which was made by Slovak polar explorer Peter Valušiak together with the director of the film. Peter Valušiak has completed some two dozen expeditions to the polar regions and is known as "the Slovak alien". He planned the expedition project over the highest peak of Mount Vinson (4897 m). The Slovak expedition consisted of Peter Valušiak, Róbert Kukučka, Patrik Tkáč and Pavol Barabáš. After a 200-kilometre march, they reached the South Pole. Valušiak continued the trek alone, with a load of 200 kg.