This Is Home

This Is Home is a captivating sports and adventure documentary film that was released in 2017, helmed and produced by Red Bull Media House and directed by Clayton Vila and David Clifford. The film stars renowned professional skier Candide Thovex, Samuel Anthamatten, and Kelly Sildaru. Unlike typical ski movies that primarily focus on presenting thrilling on-spot action and stunts, This Is Home takes a transcending approach, delving deeper into the personal attachment, roots, and emotions the featured professional skiers have towards the sport, their roots, their homeland, and their journey towards mastery of skiing.

The film's central figure, Candide Thovex, is a legendary name in the sphere of skiing. The French professional skier, filmmaker, and entrepreneur is widely lauded for his innovative approach toward the sport. This Is Home takes a peek into his world, offering a front-row seat to witness Thovex's incredible ski techniques while also introducing audiences to his roots in La Clusaz, a small mountain village in the French Alps.

His co-star, Samuel Anthamatten, is a Swiss freeskier and mountain guide known for his spectacular freeride exploits. Audiences get a chance to see Anthamatten in his natural habitat, the mountainous terrains where he first honed his skills. His story sheds light on how elements from his Swiss home contribute to his unique skiing style and prowess.

The youngest star of the film, Kelly Sildaru, adds another dimension to the story. Sildaru, a freestyle skier from Tallinn, Estonia, has been on skies since she was only two years old. The inclusion of her journey contrasts with those of Thovex and Anthamatten, depicting the different paths a skier can take to reach professional status, even when coming from a country not typically associated with the sport.

One might presume that This Is Home would only cater to a narrow audience—those who are passionate about skiing—but the technical and personal aspects of the film expand its appeal to a broader audience. The film remains genuinely engaging for people with no prior knowledge of skiing, unraveling the emotional side of the sport and its deep-rooted connection to the skiers' homelands.

This Is Home takes viewers beyond the bumpy slopes and showcases the sublime beauty of the high-altitude wilderness with impressive cinematography. The audience will find themselves gasping at the astonishing visuals of the French Alps, Switzerland, and Tallinn where most of the film was shot. Besides the rugged terrains, the film also highlights the tranquil side of these places, showcasing their raw and unaltered beauty. The camerawork is remarkable, capturing the mesmerizing petty details of the expansive landscapes and the skiers' thrilling actions with equal finesse.

Moreover, the film's narrative is intimate and powerful; viewers will find themselves deeply engrossed in the personal stories of Thovex, Anthamatten, and Sildaru. There's a significant emphasis on presenting the viewer with a more in-depth knowledge and understanding of why these professionals picked up skiing in the first place. Their shared love for the sport, despite the various challenges, forms the underlying theme binding their individual narratives.

Of course, This Is Home doesn't shy away from showcasing the adrenaline-rushes synonymous with the sport; indeed, it features plenty of heart-stopping ski sequences. High-octane downhill chases, mid-air twists and turns, breathtaking jumps & stunts—you get it all. If you're looking for action and a dose of adventure, the film has enough to keep you at the edge of your seat. However, it is the storytelling and the showcase of emotions wrapped around these sequences that make this film memorable, touching you at a personal level.

In conclusion, This Is Home is a poetic homage to the sport of skiing, capturing the journey of three skiing professionals and their emotional anchor to their roots. It's not just a feast for the eyes with breathtaking visuals of snow-clad mountainous landscapes, but also an inspired story that depicts the often-unseen human element of a sport that pushes the boundaries of adventure and thrill. This film is a must-watch for anyone looking to witness a gripping tale of passion, talent, and a love for home that runs deeper than the rivers and wider than the mountains these skiers call home.