The Parkinsons Project
Parkinson's disease and its losing battle to stop Chris climbing
Production: Leading Edge Director: Jess James Producer: Ellen Logan Edit: Will Cole DOP: Jess James Sound: We are Audio Colour: Escape Hatch Studio
"there's more to climbing than climbing rocks" and "as soon as you've conceived that it's possible, you're kind of won anyway" - two quotes that will stay with me from the film. A beautiful film that shows the reality and optimism of living a climbing life with progressive Parkinson's disease, with a storytelling finesse that meant I didn't take my eyes off the screen once whilst watching.
Synopsis
This documentary follows climber and teacher, Chris Hamper, as he navigates his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's disease has forced him to redefine his passion for climbing. His tremor makes tying knots and clipping gear difficult; his lack of dopamine reduces the reward and motivation process, forcing Chris to find new ways to stay inspired. And yet, once he is on the rock, climbing appears to be one of the very few activities that minimise his symptoms.
Now, eight years after his diagnosis, Chris is potentially coming to the end of the “honeymoon” period of his Parkinson’s. This means he could start to see the effects of the disease more acutely, including the impact it may have on his ability to continue climbing. Knowing this, Chris has taken early retirement from teaching to climb as much as possible around his home in Norway and with friends in Sheffield.
Watch the full film on demand
The full film is available to rent on demand from the link below.
Alternatively, if you would like to organise a screening within your local community, please visit the project website and reach out to the team.
Screening’s
The Film’s next screening with be at Sheffield Adventure Film Festival - 21st - 23rd March
For all the crew this is a sensual one as we are a Sheffield based team!
Saturday 10:45 // Saturday 12:45 // Sunday 21:00
All up coming screenings can be seen here
Our Premier
The Film's UK Premier took place on the 13th of October at The Showroom cinema, Sheffield. We had over 130 people attend and I received some lovely feedback.
As well as the Q&A, Professor Oliver Bandmann from the University of Sheffield gave a talk on his leading research into helping to improve the lives of people suffering with Parkinson's
Director’s Statement
“Early in his climbing career, Chris Hamper climbed multiple iconic routes that had only been climbed by a handful of people previously - many of which are just minutes from my home in Sheffield. As a lifelong climber myself, I know first-hand how this sport isn’t just an activity - it is an all-consuming lifestyle. And Chris personifies this more than most - having spent his whole life climbing (and even building his family home in Norway next to a boulder project). Chris truly lives to climb!
The more I have learned about Chris’s climbing legacy and continued drive to climb - despite the effects of his Parkinson's - the more I am deeply motivated to tell his important and powerful story. The boundless courage and humour that Chris displays every day is inspirational. Our documentary seeks to shed light on this growing and complex disease, while celebrating the indomitable human spirit.
It has been an honour to work alongside Chris, capturing his story and experience with this disease. I hope that our film will raise important awareness about Parkinson's disease, but that it will also inspire and motivate others to find strength in the face of adversity... particularly through sport.”.
