by Rick McCharles
OK, this is MY best film out of those I’ve seen.
A World Premiere.
20 Seconds of Joy
Germany, 2007, 60 minutes
Directed by Jens Hoffmann“I don’t want to die, I want to live. I’m pretty good at running away, and this is my escape!†This is how Karina Hollekim describes her dedication to BASE jumping. Documentary filmmaker Jens Hoffman first met the now 30-year-old Norwegian in 2002. He immediately started to film, accompanying her through many stages of her BASE-jumping career, until it comes to a sudden stop, changing all aspects of her life.
Karina was mad for BASE jumping the first moment she saw it. This movie documents her addiction to extreme sport and the many costs of that addiction.
It explains why extreme athletes are driven step-by-step to more dangerous stunts. She was one of the first 3 women to fly the new wing suits allowing more daring manoeuvres.
In the film she makes one mistake. And walks away. Later she crashes through equipment failure — and miraculously survives.
BASE jumping to most of us is tiny YouTube video highlight clips. This movie is essential if you really want to understand the sport.
Over 110 BASE jumpers have been killed to date. Pro jumpers last an average of 6 years.
I don’t want to do it. But this film makes me much more understanding of those that do.
Click PLAY or watch the trailer on MySpace.
BASE jumping is a sport involving the use of a parachute to jump from fixed objects. “BASE” is an acronym that stands for the four categories of fixed objects from which one can jump:
* Building
* Antenna (an uninhabited tower such as an aerial mast)
* Span (a bridge or arch)
* Earth (a cliff or other natural formation)
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