The Sharp End

In the world of climbing, “the sharp end” is the technical term to describe the end of the belay rope that is tied to a lead climber. But in this film, it also refers to the mental state of a climber on lead when the stakes get big. There’s no turning back, and the consequences of failure are huge. The film follows climbers—such as Dean Potter, Tommy Caldwell and Lisa Rands—as they push the sport to new realms in strength, creativity and mental fortitude with outrageous ascents and over-the-top feats. And in director Peter Mortimer’s trademark fashion (King Lines won the Charlie Fowler Prize at Moutainfilm in 2008), it’s gorgeous to watch—with beautiful lines and lovely locations: the iconic Diamond in Colorado, sandstone spires in the Czech Republic, craggy snow-capped French Alps and the unmistakable Utah desert. —KK