Part nature documentary and part biography, The Sanctity of Space sees its filmmakers ascend the infamous Tooth Traverse in central Alaska. It is a breathtaking film with amazing cinematography and a must for any outdoor fanatic.
Filmmakers Freddie Wilkinson and Renan Ozturk explore this spectacular mountain range with a storytelling motive up their frozen sleeves. They are there to honor mountaineer, climber, former director of the Boston Museum of Science, and aerial photographer Bradford Washburn. Washburn captured many of the peaks and valleys Ozturk and Wilkinson traverse, and the movie splits between the ascent up the Traverse and their veneration of Washburn. These parallel narratives may be off-putting for some but digging into Washburn’s exploits as these intrepid filmmakers trek up the mountain makes for a scintillating viewing experience.
The natural beauty of this Alaskan range is the film’s runaway MVP. Ozturk and Wilkinson could very easily have let the landscape speak for itself at various points, as the enormity of the Traverse is truly mind-blowing. The film including the word “Sanctity” is also clever, as one can find themselves mesmerized and even in a somewhat meditative state looking at these landscapes. The film works for any devotee of Washburn, and for library patrons and students with an interest in similar films like Free Solo and Meru. Those interested in extreme sports like climbing will also enjoy it. Media librarians should consider this title for both public and academic library shelves about the environment, nature, and sports.