"K2: Siren of the Himalayas" is a breathtaking, high-altitude mountaineering experience that brings viewers on an elite climbing group's 2009 attempt to summit the world's most challenging peak. The journey reveals stunning vistas, perilous adventure, close teamwork and the blissful serenity that has enchanted climbers to chase the elusive summit of K2 during the past century.
The Village Voice wrote that the film is "as thrilling as any Hollywood summer blockbuster, with real-life plot twists of death, unexpected heroism, and surprise endings."
The 75-minute documentary launched on Netflix U.S. via domestic distributor First Run Features in March, receiving more than 55,000 ratings with an average of 4.0 stars in just over two months. Since its release on iTunes Movies in late 2014, "K2" climbed to the top of the charts, hitting the Number One spot in both the Sports and Documentary categories.
Details on international availability and links to specific platforms are on the XTreme Video website:http://www.x-
Private press screeners and digital links of the film are available for review by accredited media. The First Run Features DVD release also contains 38 minutes of exclusive bonus features. The filmmakers are available for interviews upon request.
More info at http://K2siren.com/
ABOUT THE FILM
Shot in the Karakoram range of the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan, "K2" follows world renowned alpinists Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner (National Geographic Explorer of the Year and the first woman to reach all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters without porters or supplemental oxygen), Jake Meyer (the youngest Brit to climb the Seven Summits) and veteran North American alpine leaders Fabrizio Zangrilli and Chris Szymiec.
Director Dave Ohlson followed this elite group's attempt to summit the world's second-highest peak, K2, in 2009, marking the 100-year anniversary of Italian exploration of the Duke of Abruzzi and Vittorio Sella's landmark expedition to the same peak in 1909. Rare archival footage, written commentary and vintage photos from the Duke's century-old summit attempt provide a historical perspective on extreme mountaineering expeditions throughout the past century.
Mixed amongst the spectacular views and harrowing mountain experiences of the climbs is the stunning history and breathtaking geography of the Karakoram mountains, where each climber contemplates the risks, rewards and personal nature of exploration in an age when there are few blank spots left on the map.
To turn his K2 adventure footage into a feature documentary, Ohlson enlisted Seattle filmmaker Jason Reid and his post-production team, whose credits include the Emmy® Award-winning "Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai" and the Webby Award-winning "Sonicsgate:
"K2: Siren of the Himalayas" world premiered at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in 2012, followed by its U.S. Premiere at Mountainfilm in Telluride in 2013 and a worldwide festival run in 2014.
AWARDS
2014 "Grand Prize" Winner
Inkafest Peru
2014 Winner of "Best Action Sports Film"
Festival Salyulita
2014 Winner of "The Golden Spiffy Award" & "Audience Award for Best Documentary"
Spokane International Film Festival
2013 "Grand Prize" Winner
Bansko Film Festival
2013 "Grand Prize" Winner
Festival de Cinema de Muntanya de Torello
ABOUT THE CLIMBERS
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner - Alpinist / Explorer of the Year
Originally from Austria, Gerlinde now calls Germany home, where she lives with her husband Ralf Dujmovits. In 2011, Gerlinde became the first woman to climb all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks without oxygen when she reached the summit of K2 via the rarely climbed North Pillar route. She was named the 2012 National Geographic Explorer of the Year.
Jake Meyer - Alpinist
Jake is based in the UK near London. When he was 21 years old, he became the youngest Brit to climb the Seven Summits after reaching the top of Mt. Everest. He is a sought after speaker for corporate and charitable organizations, where he uses his experiences in the mountains to motivate and entertain.
Fabrizio Zangrili - Alpinist
Based in Colorado, Fabrizio spends a good portion of every year guiding in Nepal, Tibet and Pakistan. When he's not guiding, he pursues personal goals on some of the biggest mountain faces in the world.
Chris Szymiec - Alpinist
Based in the Canadian Rockies, Chris spends most of his time guiding on mountains in India and Pakistan. He has led successful expeditions to several 8,000-meter peaks including Cho Oyu and Broad Peak.
The Duke of Abruzzi - 1909 Explorer
The Duke led expeditions all over the world during the late 19th and early 20th century. He travelled to the Wrangell St. Elias Range in Alaska, the Rumenzori's of Africa and in 1909 he travelled to K2 to "contribute to the solution of the problem as to the greatest height to which man may attain in mountain climbing."
Vittorio Sella - 1909 Photographer
Sella was undoubtedly the greatest mountain photographer of his time. He accompanied the Duke on several expeditions and also explored the Alps and Caucusus extensively. He was considered a master by none other than Ansel Adams.
Dave Ohlson - Director / Producer
Dave is a photographer, filmmaker and student of life. His interests in climbing and photography have taken him to Africa, Tibet, Nepal and Pakistan. When he's not enjoying the outdoors, he's currently pursuing a degree in medicine.
REVIEWS
"A risky, chilly climb to the top... the film gets in close, with snow on the lens, and captures the sound of piercing winds at high altitude."
- Ben Kenigsberg, The New York Times
"Why anyone would expend such great effort, at such great risk... an answer may lie in the sheer devastating beauty of the visuals in this film. The climbers viewed amazing sights, and they brought back something worthwhile - something worth seeing on as big a screen as possible."
- Michael Potemra, The National Review
"Captures courage, hardship and at times defeat, but above all Ohlson and his crew document the mountain itself, in all its staggering majesty."
- Daniel Eagen, Film Journal International
ABOUT XTREME VIDEO
Since 1994, XTreme Video has been the home of independent creators capturing and documenting the culture, locations and stories of extreme sports. XTreme Video discovers, develops, supports and inspires independent creators by building and delivering program channels to showcase these creators.
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