‘Ski Film of the Year’ Releases on YouTube for Free
North Face’s Circle of Madness ski and snowboard film might have you thinking it’s a winter sports Apocalypse Now, with athletes consumed by dark, unknown terrain.
While staying in well-trodden ski filmmaking territory, this flick remains upbeat and straightforward. During breaks, lines are discussed, jump shoots appear, and a breathtaking descent builds. While Circle of Madness follows a traditional approach, it won the highest marks at iF3 2024.
Skiing and jumping down towering Alaskan faces are the highlights of Circle of Madness. Alaska’s overpowering and perhaps maddening pull on winter sport athletes is the theme of Circle of Madness.
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You will be driven mad with desire by Alaska. You’ll wonder if you’re hallucinating after watching Eder and Le Rue’s skiing and snowboarding.
It is clear that these two are at the top of their game. Freeride World Tour appearances were Eder’s first global recognition. As a slopestyle competitor during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, he came into his own with aggressive freeride lines.
Even though this might be a stretch, watching Candide ski is not all that different. FWT event on the imposing Bec des Rosses suggests that Eder could be part of ATV when he whipped a nose butter 360 into a line. Park tricks can be landed by Eder on terrain that was never intended to be used for such tricks.
Similar to Le Rue, who also completed a stint on the Freeride World Tour. Although the French snowboarder is best known for climbing and sliding down giant, scary faces, he can also easily fit in with Eder’s trick-oriented ways in Circle of Madness.
Eder goes down a spiny face after Le Rue’s dub ten; Le Rue follows with a cork nine. Buddy-cop dynamics without the inevitable mishaps in the squad car.
Christoph Thoresen directs the film, which has been viewed well over 17 million times on YouTube since it was produced by Eder and Thoresen. Thoresen is clearly an expert in the field of photography.
Circle of Madness has a tight pace, vibrant colors, and smooth aerial shots. Despite my fondness for ski movies unafraid to get truly weird, the film benefits from avoiding an overwrought, insanity-fueled plot. Skiing, snowboarding, and Eder and Le Rue’s camaraderie are at the center of the story without any unnecessary digressions.
Circular of Madness is a worthy Film of the Year despite not seeing all of the ski movies that the iF3 jury considered. It’s an excellent reminder of what makes skiing so special as its popularity spreads across North America. For reasons I cannot comprehend, it’s free.
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