DIRECTOR: Sebastian Cordero
STARRING: documentary
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 30 minutes
LANGUAGE: Spanish, Nepali
A well-known filmmaker follows a famous mountain climber to Nepal, documenting the journey. Conversations about their lives lead to philosophical reflections, as the mountain challenges their motives. As days go by, the higher altitude and the depletion of oxygen will raise their debate to interior and transcendental territories, putting at stake their trajectories and their egos when facing the mountain and its millenary depth.
***
Behind the Mist is a documentary co-written, co-produced and directed by Sebastian Cordero. It's the third time that he's been submitted by Ecuador, following Chronicles in 2004, Such is Life in the Tropics in 2016 and now Behind the Mist in 2024. The film won the Audience Award and Best Sound at the Kunturñawi Ecuadorian Film Festival, received a nomination for Best Ibero-American Film at the 23rd Grande Premio do Cinema Brasileiro, Best Ibero-American Film at the 66th Ariel Awards and Best Ibero-American Picture at the 12th Macondo Awards. It had its world premiere on October 6, 2023, at the 22nd International Documentary Film Festival Encounters of Other Cinema, then screened on December 3, 2023, at the Festival Ecuador Cine Aventura. It was commercially released on January 25, 2024, in Ecuadorian theaters.
The president of the Ecuadorian Film Academy announced that Behind the Mist would be their submission.
The film was produced by Jirafica.
Behind the Mist is a documentary and it was filmed in the Himalayas in Nepal.
To check out all previous submissions for Ecuador, click HERE.
STARRING: documentary
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 30 minutes
LANGUAGE: Spanish, Nepali
A well-known filmmaker follows a famous mountain climber to Nepal, documenting the journey. Conversations about their lives lead to philosophical reflections, as the mountain challenges their motives. As days go by, the higher altitude and the depletion of oxygen will raise their debate to interior and transcendental territories, putting at stake their trajectories and their egos when facing the mountain and its millenary depth.
***
Behind the Mist is a documentary co-written, co-produced and directed by Sebastian Cordero. It's the third time that he's been submitted by Ecuador, following Chronicles in 2004, Such is Life in the Tropics in 2016 and now Behind the Mist in 2024. The film won the Audience Award and Best Sound at the Kunturñawi Ecuadorian Film Festival, received a nomination for Best Ibero-American Film at the 23rd Grande Premio do Cinema Brasileiro, Best Ibero-American Film at the 66th Ariel Awards and Best Ibero-American Picture at the 12th Macondo Awards. It had its world premiere on October 6, 2023, at the 22nd International Documentary Film Festival Encounters of Other Cinema, then screened on December 3, 2023, at the Festival Ecuador Cine Aventura. It was commercially released on January 25, 2024, in Ecuadorian theaters.
The president of the Ecuadorian Film Academy announced that Behind the Mist would be their submission.
The film was produced by Jirafica.
Behind the Mist is a documentary and it was filmed in the Himalayas in Nepal.
To check out all previous submissions for Ecuador, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Here we are, here I am.”
Behind the Mist delves into the complexities of human existence, where the physical journey serves as a metaphor for the internal one. Set against the awe-inspiring yet treacherous landscape of the Himalayas, the film explores themes of endurance, self-reflection, and the pursuit of meaning. The protagonists, Iván Vallejo and Sebastián Cordero, navigate not only the physical challenges of trekking to Everest Base Camp but also their differing worldviews. Their trek becomes a canvas for larger discussions on life’s purpose, success, and the existential struggles that come with pushing one’s limits. The mountain, ever-present yet elusive, serves as a powerful symbol throughout.
The film is about its two leads. Vallejo, a seasoned mountaineer, embodies physical endurance and a relentless drive to conquer external obstacles. Cordero, on the other hand, represents the artistic and introspective side, questioning the purpose of the climb and the significance of capturing it on film. Their contrasting approaches create an intriguing dynamic, with Vallejo focused on the ascent while Cordero grapples with the why behind it. This tension between action and reflection deepens the film’s exploration of what drives us to seek out and conquer challenges.
Philosophical reflections play a crucial role in the narrative. As the altitude rises and the air thins, the conversations between Vallejo and Cordero deepen, touching on existential questions about ego, achievement, and the human need for validation. Their dialogue reveals how, despite their different professions and approaches to life, they both grapple with similar doubts and insecurities. The mountain serves as both a literal and metaphorical battleground, where their internal struggles are laid bare. This makes the film more than just a documentary about a journey; it becomes a meditation on life itself.
The cinematography of Behind the Mist is both beautiful and isolating. While the film is filled with breathtaking shots of the natural world, snow-covered peaks, endless trails, and harsh weather conditions, it also captures the solitude of the journey. The mist itself, often obscuring the mountain and the climbers’ view, becomes a metaphor for uncertainty and the elusive nature of meaning. The long, lingering shots evoke a sense of timelessness, mirroring the slow, meditative pace of the climbers’ progress. This reinforces the introspective nature of the film.
Behind the Mist is less about reaching the summit and more about what the journey reveals. The film’s contemplative tone, stunning visuals, and philosophical underpinnings invite the viewer to reflect on their own aspirations and the meaning behind their pursuits. It challenges the audience to consider not just the peaks they aim to conquer but the inner landscapes they must navigate along the way. Much like the mountain itself, the film leaves a lasting impression, one that lingers long after the final shot fades into the mist.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Here we are, here I am.”
Behind the Mist delves into the complexities of human existence, where the physical journey serves as a metaphor for the internal one. Set against the awe-inspiring yet treacherous landscape of the Himalayas, the film explores themes of endurance, self-reflection, and the pursuit of meaning. The protagonists, Iván Vallejo and Sebastián Cordero, navigate not only the physical challenges of trekking to Everest Base Camp but also their differing worldviews. Their trek becomes a canvas for larger discussions on life’s purpose, success, and the existential struggles that come with pushing one’s limits. The mountain, ever-present yet elusive, serves as a powerful symbol throughout.
The film is about its two leads. Vallejo, a seasoned mountaineer, embodies physical endurance and a relentless drive to conquer external obstacles. Cordero, on the other hand, represents the artistic and introspective side, questioning the purpose of the climb and the significance of capturing it on film. Their contrasting approaches create an intriguing dynamic, with Vallejo focused on the ascent while Cordero grapples with the why behind it. This tension between action and reflection deepens the film’s exploration of what drives us to seek out and conquer challenges.
Philosophical reflections play a crucial role in the narrative. As the altitude rises and the air thins, the conversations between Vallejo and Cordero deepen, touching on existential questions about ego, achievement, and the human need for validation. Their dialogue reveals how, despite their different professions and approaches to life, they both grapple with similar doubts and insecurities. The mountain serves as both a literal and metaphorical battleground, where their internal struggles are laid bare. This makes the film more than just a documentary about a journey; it becomes a meditation on life itself.
The cinematography of Behind the Mist is both beautiful and isolating. While the film is filled with breathtaking shots of the natural world, snow-covered peaks, endless trails, and harsh weather conditions, it also captures the solitude of the journey. The mist itself, often obscuring the mountain and the climbers’ view, becomes a metaphor for uncertainty and the elusive nature of meaning. The long, lingering shots evoke a sense of timelessness, mirroring the slow, meditative pace of the climbers’ progress. This reinforces the introspective nature of the film.
Behind the Mist is less about reaching the summit and more about what the journey reveals. The film’s contemplative tone, stunning visuals, and philosophical underpinnings invite the viewer to reflect on their own aspirations and the meaning behind their pursuits. It challenges the audience to consider not just the peaks they aim to conquer but the inner landscapes they must navigate along the way. Much like the mountain itself, the film leaves a lasting impression, one that lingers long after the final shot fades into the mist.
