In The High Country

In The High Country is a candid and intimate exploration of the life, philosophy, and astonishing physical feats of famed mountain runner Anton Krupicka – revered, not just as an icon of the grueling and rapidly growing sport of ultra-marathon running, but also as a sage who is redefining our relationship with nature.

Set against the raw and beautiful backdrop of the Colorado Rockies, the film presents the youthful Krupicka in his element - the jagged peaks, lush alpine forests and secluded mountain lakes under the ever-changing skies of the high country. Throughout the documentary, viewers are invited to participate in a contemplative journey that transcends the physical endurance and adrenaline rush of mountain running, delving deep into questions of why we venture into nature and how it heals, challenges, and ultimately forms our identity.

Director Joel Wolpert, well-known for his enigmatic portrayals of athletes in rugged, wild terrains, steps away from sensational storytelling and allows the mountains and Krupicka's interaction with them reveal the narrative. The result is an immersive experience that is neither a sports documentary, nor a nature film, but something that beautifully combines elements of both.

As Krupicka runs, climbs and camps in the Rockies, viewers get to witness his minimalist lifestyle and the deeply-rooted beliefs that fuel it. His sparsely furnished apartment, simple diet, and dedication to running or biking instead of using mechanized transport, are a testimony to his belief in a life of simplicity and reduced environmental footprint. The movie interestingly blurs the line between Krupicka's training and his lifestyle; both seem intense and yet sustainable.

In the film, Krupicka also shares personal reflections on why he runs, his need to maintain a physical touch with the universe, and the transformative chisel of injury. The introspective soliloquies form a philosophical backdrop to the breathtaking visuals. Combined with a phenomenal soundtrack, the movie takes a deeply spiritual route, accentuating the human connection to nature and the euphoria derived not from conquering, but being a small, harmonious part of it.

In addition to Krupicka, the director introduces a few other personalities from the ultrarunning community, providing a wider perspective on the sport and its ethos. These are men and women who push their bodies to the extreme, not for fame or reward, but for the sheer joy, freedom, and accompanying introspection they discover in the painful, grueling and often solitary miles.

In The High Country does not simply highlight the brutal physicality of ultrarunning. Instead, it offers rare insight into the spirit of a man who chooses to challenge his limits in the most challenging terrains, not as a competitive sport, but as an act of joyful communion with the mountains he loves. Wolpert successfully steers clear of succumbing to the stereotype of the 'tortured hero fighting the forces of nature'. The mountains are not depicted as the enemy to conquer, nor is Krupicka portrayed as a self-torturing ascetic. Instead, the core of the movie revolves around harmony, balance and respect, for both the self and the natural world.

The film's visual appeal is undeniably compelling. The breathtaking cinematography, combined with the top-notch direction, draws viewers into a world that defies time and man-made constructs. Through wide-angle panorama shots and intimate close-ups, viewers are granted not just a spectacle for the senses, but also fodder for the mind and soul.

In The High Country is a rare breed among sports documentaries, possessing a spiritual weight, a visceral sense of place, and a profound philosophical expression rarely combined in a film. It serves as an inspiring and thought-provoking examination of one man's life intertwined with the wild, delivering a powerful message about the human spirit, idealism, and our relationship with the beautiful yet inhospitable corners of our planet.

In the end, In The High Country is an artful, authentic, and stirring representation of a life led by a harmony of movement, grounded by the rhythm of nature, where the line between sport and lifestyle is beautifully blurred. Whether you are a fan of documentaries, nature films, or endurance sports, this film is sure to leave you contemplating the boundaries of human endurance and our place in the natural world.