Southern Faces Review

DVD, 90 minutes
Reviewed by Mark Watson

Southern Faces is a documentary-style climbing film that explores some of the best crags of the principal South Island climbing regions. Through a combination of climbing footage, interviews and occasional narration it portrays the essence of the kiwi scene while providing a diverse travelogue of quality rock.

The film's creators Andre Dahlman, Jonathon Clearwater, Kim Cousins and Lani Evans (along with a host of other assistants) spent over a year gathering climbing footage, interviewing locals, dossing on floors and becoming a common sight at the crags. What they have produced is a multi-faceted film that has a broad appeal and provides an invaluable resource for climbers; whether they are travellers seeking ideas, locals wanting entertainment or beta for a test piece, or anyone looking for a tidy way to explain what South Island climbing is all about.

Though ambitious in its scope, Southern Faces very sucessfully pulls off its objective: there are some insightful and entertaining interviews and some sections of brilliant climbing footage. The highlights for me were many: Steve Carr's ascent of the Darran's classic Labyrinth with snow all over the route and the odd shower of ice lumps was a bold undertaking, but also an indication of the team's commitment to capture quality footage.

Seeing the late Bill Bradshaw climb his own masterpeice Maximum Psuedo Likelihood with resolute technical efficiency was brilliant and the variety of camera angles used capture the route perfectly-you feel as if you're sitting on Bill's shoulder.

Derek Thatcher's repeat of Fatwa is captivating footage (or maybe it was the excellent Azlan track?). Additionally, Thatcher's mindblowing moves on Babylon's Katalepsis are testament to his capabilities and showcase the wall as one of the destinations of the future. Kim Cousin's personal battle with the infamous Dave's Arete also makes for great viewing (though the reversed-fall effect was a tad overdone).

The use of some excellent, quirky animations to introduce new areas, some black and white footage, the occasional use of split screen and some sped up, or slowed sections serve to add variety and originality to the film. Editing a 90 minute film is undoubtedly a time consuming challenge and for the most part Southern Faces is expertly put together and professionally finished, however I felt the editing could have been tighter in places to minimise some over-exposed scenes and background distractions. Although the film maintains its momentum very well for its length, I felt a few seconds could have been knocked off some scenes as it does drag in a couple of spots.

Southern Faces covers a wide range of crags, and a great variety of climbs are represented; from classic moderates to the hardest in the country but some areas were a little underepresented by the choice of climbs, particularly Castle Hill and Wanaka. For example, Event Horizon is hardly one of the venerable Hill's most classic problems, however the creators' prerogative was to make Southern Faces as much about the people of South Island climbing as it is about the rock and Mayan Smith-Gobat's determined effort on said climb portrays her comp winning attitude well.

An absolutely five star soundtrack of New Zealand music accompanies Southern Faces and the diverse score creatively compliments scenes as they unfold. Many well known New Zealand artists are represented; from electronica superstars Pitch Black through to some less well known independent artists.

Southern Faces is inspirational and educational viewing, and is a must-see for anyone even vaguely interested in South Island rock climbing. Buy your copy now!

RRP $39.95 ($30 to NZAC members).

On sale from the NZAC National Office , Earth Sea Sky or outdoor shops.

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