Blocheads
Synopsis: An all action cinematic spectacular, revelling in the UK’s golden age of bouldering.
Never before have there been so many indoor walls; so many climbers obsessed with training; so many beasts of superhuman strength. That talent is not going to waste. We follow the fearsomely strong Blocheads as they quest for new lines and push the limits of human ability. It’s a story of adventure, rocky passions and mutant fingers. It’s the story of a search for bouldering gold.
There’s history too – we delve into bouldering’s murky past. Once it was just a bit of fun outside the climbing hut. Now it’s ‘a thing’. From the first recorded bouldering in the 19th century, through to the rise of bouldering as a sport, something happened while the traditional climbers weren’t watching. There has been a movement in the force.
We tell the story of the UK’s first outdoor boulder comp, an up-yours to the establishment organised by 70’s developer Jerry Peel. We learn about the Godfather John Gill, and how he influenced a young Jerry Moffatt, the first of a new wave of rockstars who helped shape the modern world of bouldering.
Blocheads includes numerous first ascents, off-the-scale gnarly moves and hair-raising highballs. Sumptuous production. Historical garnish. Anarchy. Daft bits. Awesome bits. Watch it.
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Director's Statement
Blocheads takes us on a tour around some of the UK’s finest bouldering venues. There are classic locations in the South-West, the Lakes, North Wales, Scotland, The Peak District, Yorkshire and the North-East. And there’s a look at some of the country’s newest areas with Murlough Bay at Fairhead in Northern Ireland.
Director's Bio
Alastair Lee is a director and camera man specializing in the outdoor world. Twenty years in the industry he is a veteran of expeditions to the likes of Baffin Island, the Venezuelan jungle and Antarctica. Producing award winning films and TV commercials with stunning photography his special talent for combining the spectacular with the human have made him one of the leading forces in his industry with over 100 international awards to his name.
Not to be confused with the disposable ‘adrenaline’ fueled clips that dominate social media Alastair’s work is born of a deeper understanding and respect for the mountain world where a genuine passion and will to preserve these extraordinary environments is at the heart of Alastair’s work. Exploration, not only of the wild places to the furthest corners of the earth but also of the human condition. Delving into the complex psychology of the paradox of a modern person’s desire to challenge themselves in the natural arena. The quest not just for the summit but the search for purpose and meaning amongst the ever-increasing western safety and comfort.
Alastair has embraced the full gambit of modern devices at the film makers disposal, from drones to jibs to Cineflex camera systems and 4k slow motion shooting. However Alastair is also acutely aware that the ‘eye-candy’ means nothing without a strong sense of narrative and human depth. Alastair’s consistent success at combining world class cinematography with his trade-mark humor are testament to his true love of his art and dedication to always doing the best job possible and continually attempting to eclipse his own high standards.
In May of 2013 Alastair was awarded one of the top awards in his industry, The Grand Prize from the International Mountain Film Alliance at the Trento Film Festival.
His work has also been broadcast on Discovery UK, National Geographic US and featured on the Red Bull Explorers series.
Awards
Kendall Mountain Film Festival - United Kingdom - 2016
Best Climbing Film (Blockheads)
Danish Mountain Film Festival - Denmark - 2016
Grand Prize (Blocheads)
Kendall Mountain Film Festival - United Kingdom - 2016
People's Choice (Blocheads)
Ulju Mountain Film Festival - South Korea - 2016
Best Climbing Film (Blocheads)
Torello Mountain Film Festival - Italy - 2016
Best Mountain Sports Film (Blocheads)