Man on Wire (2008)

The opening film of the 37th Wellington Film Festival was the superb documentary Man on Wire. It is the story of how Frenchman Philippe Petit planned and executed his famous tightrope walk between the twin towers of the World Trade Center. It is a fascinating telling of a fascinating story. What is so stunning about this piece of film making is how James Marsh tells the story. Using only talking heads, archival footage and a few reconstructions he keeps you fixated on the screen, and manages to keep dramatic tension in a story when you clearly know how it comes out. The increasing tension and passion in the faces of the participants enthrals as do the stunning images of the attempt.

~ by wonderingkiwi on July 20, 2008.