It is called animated adventure drama.
Based on the Japanese manga. 'Le Sommet des Dieux' follows a story of journalist Fukamachi makoto who accidentally comes across a camera that might've belonged to George Mallory, who was rumored to be the first to climb mount Everest, but there is no solid proof, yet it is a known fact that he had a camera with him. The one who walks away with the camera Fukamachi believes to be Habu Joji, a mountain climber who once had a name, but Habu disappears right before his eyes and he does not know how to contact him or find him. The idea of seeing the film becomes his obsession, but he also follows the path of Habu Joji to figure out if he could find him through old contacts. This is how we see Habu Joji who was always obsessed with climbing and only saw a new goal after standing at the top of the mountain.
Fukamachi realises that Habu still climbs and not only, he might want to do the impossible solo climb of mount Everest and he wants to be there for that moment.
Note: My description would make anyone confused, it's not that important how Fukamachi was in a bar and some random man heard him talking about photos and he offered him a camera, Fukamachi was dismissive - like hey dude, not interested in your scam. But when he walked out he saw in the alley how the same man who offered him camera was confronted and threatened by someone unknown (it was dark). The unknown man got the camera and told the dude to disappear, while Fukamachi was witnessing this scene and thought of interfering the conflict was resolved an dhe finally saw the face of this unknown man, so looking at his missing fingers and his face he came to conclusion that he reminded him of Habu Joji, but when he came to his senses and tried to chase after him, he saw that he missed his chance and this is how his investigation of Habu Jojis life in an attempt to find him came to be.
The story mainly follows the two timelines, one of Fukamachi investigating and following the path of Habu through reports and newspapers, while the other timeline shows the path of Habu Joji from his young age, to the way he was always more of a loner and strived to climb higher and higher among people who did not share the same passion. The drama of losing someone during climbing or being stranded himself. Which still did not stop him.
I must say I really liked the switch between the two timelines, it was directed really well. because what Fukamachi held in his hands were reports. For example, Joji and his partner climbed some dangerous mountain in winter, which was never done before. And we see a small article about it in Fukamachi's hands as a result of their success. Then we see how Joji met some man who asked him for his climb and who was more interested in how he had done it. Eventually Joji was so passionately telling everything he figured from that climb, what followed is that man who listened to him attempted to climb the same place solo and Fukamachi held a magazine that covered the story with the man's photo on the cover. I liked the attention to such details, because one news is worth celebrating more than the other in terms of significance according to news outlets.
Fukamachi finds Habu in a village closes to his target place and finds out that Habu has been there for years and tried to achieve his goal few times, but without success.
Fukamachi following along Joji's path and this climb is the final part of the movie.
It is very atmospheric. There is a sense of awe and also dread, the danger is always there, no matter how silent the mountains can be. The magnitude of mountains and the insignificance of a human being.
Really made me think of how much work may go into a single photo, especially if it's something in connection with nature.
I'm not surprised by that ending. It brings the story to its' conclusion. But does the path end here?
I think the two Fukamachi and Joji were like kindred spirits without realizing it. Fukamachi is passionate about scoop and taking a good picture, props to him, he actually went through dangerous situations. But he still couldn't get the feeling Joji had for climbing. What is so special about it. Though through the final experience he came close to realization and I'm not saying he inherited the mantle, but he later climbed not for the scoop.
The only thing I kinda want to nitpick about and not at the same time is color palette. The animation is amazing, so don't get me wrong, but the color palette is pretty much the same for everything, with slight difference (like before and during the climb). I'm not talking about that. My only wish was to make the scenes of reaching the summit more special? Because they looked like any other view in the movie. Though at the same time I think that maybe this was the point in a way? I'm pulling excuses out of thin air maybe, but that's what Habu meant when he said he can't give answer in what they see at the top of the mountain and what is so special and why they want to risk for it.
RATE: 9/10.
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