email print share on Facebook share on Twitter share on LinkedIn share on reddit pin on Pinterest

PRODUCTION / FUNDING Spain / France

Javier Rey and Patricia López Arnaiz strive to reach the summit in Beyond the Summit

by 

- Ibon Cormenzana is directing this immersive, high-octane emotional adventure, rubbing shoulders with the most perilous, harsh and spectacular sides of nature

Javier Rey and Patricia López Arnaiz strive to reach the summit in Beyond the Summit
Actor Javier Rey and actress Patricia López Arnaiz

Alegría, tristeza, miedo, rabia (lit. “Happiness, Sadness, Fear, Anger”) was the original title of the previous film by director-producer Ibon Cormenzana, a Spanish-French production that was eventually released with only the first two elements from that working title (Happy Sad [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
). Once again, these emotions – and many more – will have a starring role in his new movie, Beyond the Summit [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Ibon Cormenzana
film profile
]
, which is currently being shot and which, once again, is being made as a joint venture between companies in France and Spain. This epic story stars two actors who are very much in demand right now: Patricia López Arnaiz, the favourite among the nominees for various impending awards thanks to her work in Ane Is Missing [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: David Pérez Sañudo
film profile
]
(the feature debut by David Pérez Sañudo), and Javier Rey, who is currently gracing screens in El verano que vivimos [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
(by Carlos Sedes).

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

According to the film’s synopsis provided by the production companies, Mateo (Rey) is taking on the most dangerous mountain on the planet, the Annapurna, for the first time – he has challenged himself to reach its peak and thus, despite all opposition, keep an old promise. However, during his ascent, he has an accident that leaves him unconscious and seriously injured. Hours later, he is rescued by the brave and feisty Ione (López Arnaiz), a seasoned mountain climber who – in the midst of a complicated time in her personal life – is spending the winter in a refuge, alone and cut off from the rest of the world. Despite her not understanding the reasons that brought the man all the way here, she will try to help him to accomplish his goal. The screenplay has been written by filmmaker Nerea Castro, based on an original storyline by the director.

The shoot for the fourth feature by Cormenzana (who, with his producer’s hat on, has staged titles such as Blancanieves [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Pablo Berger
film profile
]
by Pablo Berger and Madre [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Rodrigo Sorogoyen
film profile
]
by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, among countless others) began on 21 December and is continuing for six weeks on location in Catalonia, the Basque Country, Aragon, the Alps and Nepal. In Cormenzana’s own words, as well as attempting to make the climbing scenes as realistic as possible, this “epic film homing in on values that are so vital today, such as loyalty and comradeship, will show how, in spite of their fears, the protagonists will take risks that will allow them to outdo themselves and evolve, and in this way, they will come to understand that life should be lived to the max and savoured at every single moment. I would like to generate those same desires in the viewer – the will to dare to achieve their goals unfalteringly and without losing any of the optimism to continue down the path we have chosen.”

Beyond the Summit – the crew of which includes professionals of the likes of Albert Pascual (Second Origin [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
) serving as DoP, David Gallart (Eye for an Eye [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Paco Plaza
film profile
]
) in charge of editing and Fernando Velázquez tasked with composing the soundtrack (A Monster Calls [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Juan Antonio Bayona
film profile
]
) – is a production by Spanish outfits Arcadia Motion Pictures, Aixerrota Films, LaZona and Dorothy Films AIE, in co-production with Noodles Production (France). It boasts the involvement of EiTB and Televisió de Catalunya, and has secured support from the Basque Government. Filmax will take care of distributing it in Spain as well as its international sales.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

(Translated from Spanish)

Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.

Privacy Policy