WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
What do you fear? An ominous inquiry most often associated with watching a horror film or being a participant on an episode of “Fear Factor”. But, as we all know, it has far more connotations and applicability to our lives, even on a daily basis, than those basic notions. Our trepidations arrive in a myriad of forms, weighing on us in just as many varied ways, leading to the REAL question that arises–will you choose to FACE and OVERCOME them or FALL to them? Let’s be frank–if being honest with ourselves–do we not TEND to end up experiencing the latter rather than the former? But, what if it IS the former you decide to follow and take action towards? What might that option teach you, build inside of you, push you to accomplish? For adventure athlete Maria Granberg it was first the mountain of discovering who she really was that has brought her to the place she most desired–being free within and being VERY on top of life. This is her story.
Next, my Mind:
Documentary film is truly its own animal within the wide arena that is cinematic artistry. This critic has found over the years that there still remains nothing more influentially impactful overall than real life, and this is what the genre of filmmaking being spoken of here excels at. What strikes me more is how deftly crafted this stylistic approach can be when focused on stories specifically intended to challenge and inspire us, to allow us the opportunity to see someone else stare down the obstacles and hesitations they’ve encountered and conquer them through whatever particular means they’ve chosen, whether subtle or extreme (in a GOOD way). With the newest 24-minute project from Swedish director Martin Sandin along with executive producers Sebastian Herzen and Harald Brostrom, this scenario is precisely what’s delivered with absolute efficiency in execution, stunning visual beauty, and an undeniably exhilarating, heartening, grounded tale at its core.
From childhood, Maria Granberg’s life was one of initial disquiet, fearful of many things, yet also possessing an innate curiosity about the world that ultimately prevailed, pushing aside and taking the place of any further hesitations. Consequentially, now being much more in tune with who she was, it fostered the driving force behind the goals Granberg would soon come to know as an adult, finding both her place of solace and testing of endurance limits via mountain climbing. Leading to her first attempt to ascend and summit Manaslu in Nepal, the 8th highest mountain in the world at 8,163 meters (or 26,781 feet!!) during 2021–WITHOUT supplemental oxygen, mind you(!!)–the journey was met with disappointment as her body refused to go any further with only 500 meters (roughly 1,640 feet) to go, forced to give in to the need for oxygen to arrive at the summit. But, in the wake of this failed attempt to achieve her primary objective, it only made Granberg want it MORE.
Moving into 2022, Granberg recalls forming herself into a perfectionist, which is both a blessing and a curse, helpful when striving for accomplishment but self-destructive when taken too far, which is something she is candid about, having fallen into depression by her late 20’s. Seeking the help and support she needed, a refreshed mindset turned into the desire to try for Manaslu without O2 again. This became a doorway to training harder physically, mentally, and emotionally than she ever had prior, knowing that it isn’t JUST about the body but also a strong mind and stable state of being, as Granberg fully admits what she does has nothing to do with TAKING risks (inherent with the sport of climbing regardless) but rather preparing to AVOID them. It’s a path that perpetuates her love for life itself, that exciting SENSATION of BEING alive, and it is this magnitude of dogged commitment and steadfast belief in herself that propelled Granberg to make that next attempt at Manaslu in 2022 as she planned. The story from there is one this critic will leave for viewers to take in, but suffice it to say, it is just as potently stirring.
The film’s imagery is nothing short of awe-inducing when concentrating on the sequences up on Manaslu, both gloriously majestic and wholly intimidating at the same time, yet still eliciting an air of triumph to think about the aims Granberg has to make her dream a reality in the manner she pushes for. The camera captures the sweeping landscapes of ice, snow, clouds, and sky with complete purpose and clearly shot views that honestly make you want to BE there just as much as Granberg. But, what the project also does is provide the a beautifully directed portrait of Granberg herself and the life she’s willing to share about so openly, with images that put that humanizing facet to what it has taken for her to even pursue what has so conspicuously become her all-encompassing passion, which has not been all clear sailing, but sometimes immersed in stormy seas she’s had to press harder to get through and done so successfully with flying colors.
But it’s that showcasing of how life isn’t just some linear road to travel, and the unequivocal love Granberg has for climbing is reflected wonderfully in HOW she puts all she is into getting READY for a climb, and the intensity of every ounce of energy being expended, in both joy and pain, is on display visually throughout the film with affecting, genuine transparency. This atmosphere carries over to the voiceover narration, self-shot videos, training montages, and direct interviews with Granberg whose shining, vibrant personality comes bursting through with all of who she is, willing to be vulnerable as she is stubbornly undeterred in chasing her goals. But, what very profoundly makes for the most poignant instances for this critic, just because it sums up all we’ve seen Granberg endure for her principals and continued ambitions, is time spent with her beloved father Johnny Granberg at his home in Persberg, Sweden. The film’s finale is spent on this and is just endearing in its father-daughter bond and sentiments shared while giving Granberg the opportunity to cap off telling us all that she’s learned and still does about life based on her experiences.
It’s just magical and should spark our own awareness and assessment of who WE are and the associated aspirations we may have always TALKED about but never actually put feet to the proverbial fire to engage with. So, in total, “Brave” stands as a magnificent testament to apprehensions being put down by choosing to rise above, embracing the insurmountable potential and resiliency of the human spirit, deciding NOT to be dissuaded when “if at first you don’t succeed” comes knocking, and soaring to new heights while maintaining one’s heart, mind, and soul in a realistic and realized state of understanding that gives us the wings to fly and keep going. Therefore, whatever your personal mountain might be, it’s time to see it, work towards it, and make the climb in order that we might reach out, touch that summit and beyond, and do so with a gratitude for life we’ve never known.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
