THE ALPINIST is an intimate documentary of a visionary climber who follows the path of his own passion, despite the heaviest of possible consequences.
As the sport of climbing turns from a niche pursuit to mainstream media event, Marc-André Leclerc climbs alone, far from the limelight. On remote alpine faces, the free-spirited 23-year-old makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history. Yet, he draws scant attention. With no cameras, no rope, and no margin for error, Marc-André’s approach is the essence of solo adventure.Intrigued by these quiet accomplishments, veteran filmmaker Peter Mortimer (The Dawn Wall) sets out to make a film about Marc-André. But the Canadian soloist is an elusive subject: nomadic and publicity shy, he doesn’t own a phone or car, and is reluctant to let the film crew in on his pure vision of climbing.As Peter struggles to keep up, Marc-Andrés climbs grow bigger and more daring. Elite climbers are amazed by his accomplishments, while others worry that he is risking too much. Then, Marc-André embarks on a historic adventure in Patagonia that will redefine what is possible in solo climbing.THE ALPINIST is an intimate documentary of a visionary climber who follows the path of his own passion, despite the heaviest of possible consequences.
Peter Mortimer isthe founder of the adventure film company Sender Films, based in Boulder, Colorado,where hehas produced and directed the critically acclaimed documentaries “Valley Uprising” (2014 with Rosen) and “The Dawn Wall” (2018 with Josh Lowell), as well as the adventure television series "First Ascent" (2103) on the Nat Geo Channel, and "REEL ROCK: The Series" on Red Bull TV, which is entering its seventh season.His productions have garnered numerous festival awards and Emmys and landed on dozens of best-of lists.Mortimer is also co-founder, along with Josh Lowell of Big UP Productions, of the REEL ROCK Film Tour, celebrating its 16th year and showing in more than 800 locations on all seven continents.For REEL ROCK, Mortimer has produced and directed dozens of award-winning short films and helped grow the brand into the largest media platform in the climbing world.Beyond the tour, REEL ROCK features a youtube channel with tens of millions of views, a TV series, digital sales, an online marketplace and partnerships with leading outdoor brands including The North Face, Black Diamond and Yeti.Through Sender, Mortimer has directed brand campaigns forGoogle, Clif, Mountain Hardwear and more, which have garnered multiple Webby, Short, Addy and AVA awards.Mortimer received his BA from Colorado College and his MFA from USC Film School. He loves sports, and is an avid climber, surfer, skater, snowboarder, skier, futsol player and pretty much anything else. He and partner Joss Corkin are proud parents of Pia and Xavi, and their intrepid dogs Macho and Gnarly.
Nicholas Rosen is a partner, writer and producer at Sender Films. He isthe director, along with Peter Mortimer, of the Emmy-winning documentary film “Valley Uprising” (2014), and a co-creator of the globally acclaimed REEL ROCK films and tour.Rosen began working as a writer/producer/director with Sender Films in 2005, and with Sender has created feature films and TV programs for NBC, The Weather Channel, National Geographic Channels International and The New York Times Online.He received his BA in political science from Colorado College, and his masters at Columbia's Schoolof International and Public Affairs. Stepping to the other side of the camera, Nicholas has also developed a career as on-screen talent, starring in the yoga documentary, “Enlighten Up!” (2008), and providing voice-over work for “The Sharp End” and the First Ascent series.Nick lives with his wife, Caroline Alden, and their two children, William and Oscar, in Boulder, Colorado.
