Acting
The name Jean Gounand is legendary among the rock faces of the French and Italian Maritime Alps. Whether through a bold first ascent, an audacious variation, an adjustable wooden wedge, or a simple piton stamped "JG," Jean has left his mark on countless routes. From the Baou de Saint-Jeannet to the Corno Stella and the Cougourde, he knows every line on these iconic peaks. A retired factory worker, he has harbored a lifelong passion for the mountains—one that remains stronger than ever at age 83; he heads out to climb with boundless energy, the same eagerness, and the same sense of wonder. A contemporary and climbing partner of mountaineering greats like Patrick Berhault, he has played an active role in the evolution of rock climbing for over half a century. It was with his characteristic kindness and humility—and eyes sparkling with joy—that he opened the door to his vertical world for us.
For twenty years, the Beghin-Lafaille route on the South Face of Annapurna was considered one of the most difficult and dangerous in the Himalayas. In the autumn of 2013, it was climbed first by Ueli Steck solo, and then by the team of Yannick Graziani and Stéphane Benoist. It is an extraordinary route that profoundly changed the lives of those who tackled it. The film recounts the remarkable convergence of destinies surrounding this climb and explores how such an ascent can transform a life. Drawing inspiration from the experiences of astronauts returning from the moon—who suffered from "absolute achievement" syndrome—the filmmakers sought to understand how the deep-seated drives that compel mountaineers to prepare for and commit to such climbs can shatter at the very moment a lifelong goal appears to have been reached.
9ème Degré is a rock climbing documentary directed by Marc Cotto in 2005 and produced by 9D Video. It features some of the era's top climbers tackling the finest crags in Nice and the surrounding region. The film showcases cliff climbing and bouldering—complete with forearm-burning intensity and lactic acid buildup—on popular routes at Annot and La Turbie, while also offering a nod to more modest climbers on more accessible routes.
