woo-hoo - a ski film - set high up in the french alps - yes please
tomas and ebba are a swedish couple on a 5 day stay on the slopes
their young children vera and harry complete the family holiday scene
opening shots of beautiful vistas and a reminder of constant danger
explosive charges being let off around the clock to control avalanches
the family seated on the outside deck of a restaurant and one comes down
at first it seems minor and under control but gets bigger and panic sets in
tomas grabs his gloves and iphone and bolts it - wife and kids hit the deck
fortunately it stops short but does shower all with a dusting of snow cloud
no damage done - physically - but much worse - psychological damage
he returns to the table and they superficially carry on but all is not good
that night man and wife discuss it - he in complete denial that he ran
she in shock that he won't man up and at least admit his big mistake
this done over dinner with a couple of strangers - very tense stuff
and it's pretty well downhill (groan) from there for the family
each day begins a new chapter in the film as they push on
day 2 sees ebba electing to go it alone for the day's skiing
time taken in the film to enjoy the whole skiing experience
sitting on lifts, paralleling down a gentle slope, a cold beer
that night they are joined in their lodge room by an old friend
he has a new young girlfriend - ebba announces the situation
very awkward and some great acting to portray the intensity
the friend arguing that base survival instincts are at the core
some laugh-out-loud moments too but only for the audience
day 3 sees tomas and his old friend high up the mountain
great footage of powder snow skiing in perfect conditions
tomas encouraged to let it all out and a scream therapy session
the night sees the family dealing with an inconsolable father
all very sad - and very powerful - this film has it all really
day 4 - the final days skiing and the family in a whiteout
we just dread that something bad is going to happen
sure enough - mother gets lost - father goes in search
kids abandoned - snow falling and very bleak conditions
phew - he emerges with her in his arms - he passes the test
did she set it up - possibly - but happy days are here again
but wait there's more - the director has another twist in the plot
day 5 - the family on a packed bus descending the mountain
the driver is new and struggling on the very tight corners
heart-pounding stuff with views of huge roadside drops
ebba freaks out and demands he open the bus door
she bolts it - leaving tomas and the kids - ah touche
scenes then of all the passengers walking down
mostly in silence - but no words needed
a chance for reflection on the 5 day trip
and what a journey for both us and them
quite draining really but in a good way
brilliant film-making - so powerful
force majeur also a great title...
