The Great White Whale
Michael Dillon
Australia / 2023 / 104' / Italian premiere
Deep in the Southern Ocean, halfway between Australia and Africa, a snowy Volcano, 2,745 meters high, rises from the sea like a Great White Whale. Five times that Great White Whale of a mountain tried to kill the first team that tried to climb it. Yet back they sailed, through the worst seas in the world, to try again, this time with the legendary Bill Tilman as skipper. This is the extraordinary story of both Expeditions, told by those who were there, one of whom sings the story too, as befits the epic saga that it was.
Language:
English
Subtitles:
Italian
Director
Michael Dillon
He has been making Adventure films for 50 years. For half that period he was Sir Edmund Hillary's filmmaker, making many films including FROM THE OCEAN TO SKY, Gold Gentian Trento 1980 and the National Geographic Special RETURN TO EVEREST. He filmed the first ever full climb of Everest from sea level: EVEREST – SEA TO SUMMIT, Gold Gentian in Trento in 1993.
Awards
PREMIO “MARIO BELLO”
Ed. 2024
Who wouldn't want to be in a bard's story? Who wouldn't want to have companions who even in the midst of a violent storm know how to be supportive, and who still have time for a smile? Who wouldn't want to be recounted in a film where adventure, friendship and the desire for knowledge interweave with expertise and even levity?
Genziana d’Oro Miglior Film di Esplorazione o Avventura - Premio “Città di Bolzano”
Ed. 2024
For the courage, the resourcefulness of the crew, the climate of camaraderie that shines through from the stories of the protagonists and the skilful use of the archives. The great white whale is not only the first successful attempt to climb the Big Ben peak. It also is the metaphorical value of a distant horizon to be followed collectively, taking advantage of the experiences of those who preceded us in the same challenges. It reminds us that there is nothing riskier than doing nothing and what we will regret when we are too tired and old are the possibilities we didn't take.
Gallery
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