In Jasper, mountains are all around us, but on April 17, at the Jasper Legion, they will take centre stage.
A four-feature summer film festival, Mountains On Stage, presented by the local francophone association (ACFA Jasper), will inspire and entertain, according to organizers.
“At the end of the films, you just want to get out and explore,” said Rihab Baroudi, who is volunteering with the festival.
Baroudi is familiar with the Montagne en Scène, having viewed previous versions of the festival at theatres in Montréal and, before she moved to Canada, in France.
“It sold out Paris’ Le Grand Rex [a 2,800-seat cinema and concert venue] eight nights in a row,” she recalled. “To have it in Jasper is a big thing!”
The four films traverse famous mountain ranges including the Alps and Himalayas. One film takes the audience into the high arctic and another goes underground into the world of spelunking, as adventurers attempt to plot the longest cave in Canada. Between the cinematography and the drama of overcoming challenges in the mountain environment, the films are extremely compelling, Baroudi says.
“You get to know the personalities, you see how people have to work together,” she said.
The ACFA hosted a winter version of the festival last year. This iteration will be hosted at the Jasper Legion. Capacity is 100 people, so Baroudi suggests not waiting to get tickets.
“These are documentaries about extraordinary human adventures set to breathtaking images,” she said. “Tickets will go quick.”
Joining the ACFA at the Jasper Legion to present the night’s itinerary is the Jasper/Hinton section of the Alpine Club of Canada. The festival is a chance for both organizations to give back to the community, Baroudi suggested.
“Come for an evening of adventure at the movies,” she said.
Doors for the Mountains On Stage/Festival Montagne en Scène open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.
Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
