On the Verge is currently available for streaming as part of the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) online show from June 19 to 26. For more information, go to vimff.org/film/on-the-verge. Streaming fee is $15 for one online viewing of all six films in the program.
Peak film critic Stephen Miller reviewed On the Verge (below) in March, prior to it screening in Powell River.
On the Verge is a 40-minute documentary about the beauty of the backcountry of Powell River, specifically the Eldred Valley, as told through the eyes of mountain climbers.
It is picturesque and pleasant but make no mistake about it, this film tackles a much more serious and contemplative issue. The filmmakers, through their lens, want the viewer to look at the forest, the trees and the remaining old growth in the Eldred Valley. They want you to consider the harm that may come through logging and clearcutting.
The cinematography is visually exhilarating with majestic shots of the mountain faces and nature within the valley. Director Rob Munshaw’s point of view is told through interviews with a group of mountain climbers who have been accessing the Eldred Valley on old logging roads.
Two of the interviewees, Rob Richards and Colin Dionne, legends in the climbing community, speak about the wall faces as a comparison to Yosemite National Park in California. They were the first team to make the climb and bring attention to the beauty surrounding the valley.
On the Verge is one of many rock climbing films made over the last few years and specifically this film reminds me of Free Solo, the documentary film that won an Academy Award in 2019. As much as Free Solo was about the climb, it also focused on the human element of the climber and the emotional struggle he had with balancing his new love in his life with the concentration needed to make the free solo climb.
On the Verge tells the story about the climbers as well; however, their focus is to have you as the viewer contemplate the physical changes the valley is and will be going through.
The film is broken down into three parts: where we came from (heritage), where we are now and where we are going (an uncertain future). It is well structured and edited.
The filmmakers’ focus starts off broad and then narrows in focus on the real issue of the tree cutting they estimate will happen in 2022.
On the Verge is about industry versus tourism, industry versus civilization, industry and the protection of our forests.
There is a symbiotic relationship between the logging companies and eco-tourism. The film clearly recognizes that the logging companies were the ones that opened up the Eldred Valley for tourists, climbers and hikers. For if there were no logging roads it would be almost impossible for civilization to access the valley. The climbers and hikers need the logging companies but what they don’t want is the destruction of the landscape.
On the Verge does a good job in raising the socially conscious issue of protecting the environment; however, it falls short by not tackling possible solutions to the problem. Solutions such as management of the roads and trails, management of what trees should be taken and what trees should be left and what it might look like if the logging companies worked hand in hand with eco friendly groups.
On the Verge is eye-opening and raises important issues about our environment for our generation and generations to come. For these reasons, I give it four out of five tugboats.
Stephen J. Miller is a producer and creative writer in feature films and television, and past owner of repertoire movie theatres.
