Out of the Shadows

The term “ski bum” sometimes takes on a pejorative tone in the mouths of those who push the old-school protestant work ethos.  “Out of the Shadows” takes you well past that superficial moniker and delves into elements of the ski “life” that are downright spiritual.  The camera slides into the nooks and crannies of the featured skiers lives, the grocery shopping (and what you have to do to eat), the time with the children, hitting the asthma inhaler and the mourning of the loss of friends and provides a sense of their personal lives that is both illuminating and endearing.  With subtle montages, carefully paced you come away with a fine appreciation for the personalities that devote so much time to their sport, their art and their passion.  No interview format is used.  You’re provided with a shot of a sideways glance here, a profile shot there. These touches are a minor part of the film but it’s incredibly effective because “OOTS” comes across as a movie with “heart”.  And the skiing?  “OOTS” won the 2010 Best Big Mountain Movie honours at the IF3.  And while I might say “nuff said” there, let me add that this is Dendrite Studios debut offering and that the Vancouver-based production team of Athan Merrick and Nicolas Teichrob deliver this gift to us on a shoestring budget proving brilliance does not have to cost big bucks.  The shots and editing tricks are wickedly inventive right from the opening sequence.  It all adds up to a beautiful frame around the pictures of some awesome skiers.  You may not have read too much about these guys in the magazines but skiers like Brett Crabtree, Christian Boucher, Dave Treadway, Chris Turpin and a host of others are hard-charging athletes who are totally worth your attention.   “OOTS” will definitely put these guys in the spotlight.  A “soul” ski movie?  I don’t know if this is a new sub-genre but the Dendrite crew is one to watch.     By Mark “The Attorney General” Quail

Watch the Trailer for Out of the Shadows