I guess probably quite a lot of us are watching more climbing and mountaineering films than usual, at the moment. I was wondering if we could do some useful community service during these difficult times, and provide some feedback on particular pet hates and clichés you gag on.
I'll kick us off:
1. Opening with scenes of pretentious coffee making. Why?! It's everywhere! Perhaps it's that everyone wants to make a "day in the life of your favorite [sic] climber" type film. Anyway - far too many aeropresses, mokas and bean grinders. Once you've seen it, you can't unsee it.
2. Endless films about wealthy Americans with massive SUVs telling you "to live your best life". "Like, climbing is, like, the only place I can, you know, really be myself - where I feel really free." Please cut the pseudo-profound bs. Good dialogue is not necessarily "spiritual". "Come on arms, do your stuff!" Nothing could be more material, more immediate and more memorable.
3. Climbing films featuring very little actual climbing. Just endless friends and acquaintances telling the camera: "The great thing about them is, not only are they, like, a really, really great climber, but they're also, like, just a really great person."
The coffee making is the only thing I really can't stand, though.
Ta,
CW