MERU
This 90-minute documentary about mountain climbing is everything one would expect from that type of film — informative and filled with breathtaking views, but also heartbreaking, action-packed and triumphant.
Meru chronicles Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk’s physical, mental and emotional journey to the summit of the Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru in northern India.
Though Mount Meru is holy in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist beliefs because of its location at the headwaters of the Ganges, the Shark’s Fin is special to the climbers in other ways, and as the documentary unfolds, it draws viewers in until the mountain is close to their hearts as well.
The recipient of the U.S. Documentary Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival covers a span from 2007 to 2013 in which the alpinists made two attempts to summit the Shark’s Fin.
Author Jon Krakauer commentates, with interviews from the three main players and their friends and families.
Shot by director and photographer Chin and cinematographer Ozturk, Meru begins with an emotional shot from the second attempt at the summit, then backtracks and goes chronologically.
As said in the synopsis, the attempt fails. Knowing this, it made the beginning almost boring, yet the amazing cinematography made up for the disappointing action. Shots of the mountain’s peak with its sheer, bare wall, backed by a cloudless night of stars those on the Eastern Seaboard can only dream of were breathtaking.
Yet, when the first ascent attempt ends, layer upon layer of emotional motivation is revealed. Anker, Chin and Ozturk all have their own reasons for wanting to be the first to summit the Shark’s Fin, and as a team and as friends, the bond and drive they share is something amazing to watch through footage from their everyday lives, including Rocky-esque training montages and interviews.
The input from their loved ones really puts everything into perspective as the risks are realized. Krakauer helps too, giving his perspective as a climbing expert.
As an author, he has a bit of a problem with inserting himself into narratives he shouldn’t, but as a documentary narrator, he did much better, providing background information and historic tidbits.
On both trips, the climbers do a good job of explaining the names and functions of their equipment as they go, so the educational aspect doesn’t seem forced.
Anker is the captain of expedition sponsor North Face’s climbing team, and the other two men are members. There’s plenty of product placement, but no distracting in-film verbal endorsements.
Just like this subtlety, everything about Meru is done the right way.
Chin, as director and producer (working with Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi) grew the stakes, the dynamic and the driving forces behind each player in perfect synchronization.
With the absolutely breathtaking views, emotionally stirring close-ups and some mountainside angles that will have viewers asking “How?” Meru is a magnificent piece of film.
