From the mouth of the late Dean Potter in the trailer for The Dark Wizard (YouTube) (via Climbing Magazine ):
When I was a little boy, my first memory was this dream of falling. […] My whole life, I’ve been obsessed with the dream. But maybe it wasn’t me falling to my death. Maybe it was me flying.
Dean Potter is a near mythical figure in the world of climbing. He was famous for his daring exploits while climbing, BASE jumping, and highlining (often performing multiple at the same time). He was infamous for his disregard for tradition, safety, and the law.
From directors Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen comes an unflinching portrait of Dean Potter, the world’s most influential and controversial climber, BASE jumper and highline walker.
The two directors behind the series are also responsible for:
- The Alpinist (2021)
- The Dawn Wall (2017)
- Founding Reel Rock (2005)
The Alpinist and The Dawn Wall are both fantastic climbing documentaries. Both are worth your time.
Now that I live in Colorado, it’s an annual tradition to attend the world premiere of Reel Rock in Boulder. The Dark Wizard will also screen at the Boulder International Film Festival on April 10.
The four-part docuseries premieres April 14 on HBO Max .
This looks to be a must-watch for climbers (or climbing enthusiasts).