In Gap, a dive into the heart of the mountains and their secrets at the Mountain Cinematheque Meetings

The 15th edition of the Mountain Cinematheque Meetings is being held until Sunday, November 26 in Gap. The opportunity to tell the story of the mountain in all its forms, from its breathtaking fauna and flora to the sporting exploits of its mountaineers.

“There are very personal adventures, more collective adventures, we talk about climate, there’s a bit of everything, so it’s really very cool“, rejoices a spectator. From Mongolia to the most remote valleys of the Hautes-Alpes, the Meetings of the Gap mountain cinema library aim to take people on a journey, while questioning our relationship with nature.

From November 22 to 26, the 15th edition of these Meetings offers thirteen screenings, but also conferences. Jean-Michel Bertrand, director and photographer, who has been filming wolves for almost ten years, came to present a preview of the last part of his trilogy, Living with wolves.

“I chose a path that could put me at odds on the side of the protectors of wolves and on the side of the enemies of wolves. But it’s an approach of common sense and openness and for me, it’s really essential, that’s the only way we can move forward, we don’t necessarily agree, but at least, we talk to each other“, explains the director, Jean-Michel Bertrand.

Human and sporting adventures

Engaging mountain films, others to take us on a journey and still others to tell the story of sporting exploits. The film library preserves and distributes all the mountaineering archives and in particular the exploits of the legendary Lionel Terray, who even inspired this other mountaineer and writer Lionel Daudet.

“Indeed, archiving, old films, is very important. We must preserve this memory, because it contains all the flame of adventure. And it is a flame that crosses the ages and which served me in a very concrete way to write my book The Mountaineer in the Footsteps of Lionel Terray“, he says.

Two award-winning films

This Saturday, November 25, the jury awarded the grand prize for documentary Mongolia, the valley of the bears by Hamid Sardar, who tells the story of this forest ranger who is committed to protecting natural spaces and wild animals by converting former hunters into forest guardians.

The Jury’s favorite was awarded to Heading for El Cap by Brian Mathé and Morgane Monchaud. The documentary looks back on the epic tale of six climbers on El Capitan mountain in the United States. The public will have the opportunity to see or rewatch these two films this Sunday at 3 p.m. or Wednesday November 29 at 6 p.m. at the Gap cinema library.

15th Mountain Cinematheque Meetings.

At the Quattro and at the Cinémathèque in Gap.

From November 22 to 26, 2023.

More information on the event website.