WATCH: ‘Visions’ Captures Bouldering and Life at Kura Tawhiti / Castle Hill

After core premieres in Melbourne and Christchurch, Visions is now available for free online. Watch the short film and learn more about how it came to be below.

The Creative Process Behind Visions

On a frigid Melbourne evening, the local climbing community packed into a cosy cafe in Collingwood, eager to see the world premiere of Visions, a short film directed by Ben Clement and produced by Arc’teryx in collaboration with Good Sport Magazine.

Visions, the film and the accompanying hardcover book, captures a moment in time. A group of climbers, from pros to dirtbags, cocooned themselves in a bubble of climbing, camping, and simply hanging out in Kura Tawhiti, Castle Hill, in the North Canterbury region of Aotearoa’s South Island.

This project has been in progress for years, with a passionate, skilled team of designers, producers, climbers, and crew collaborating to bring Visions, the film and hardcover book, to life. Hosted by Arc’teryx and Good Sport Magazine, I joined a sold-out crowd as they packed into Everyday Coffee to see the world premiere and hear from director Ben Clements, editor Mondo Hays, and climbers Joshua Briones-Yap and Kenji Boekholt.

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A Field of Boulders

The film beautifully portrayed the deep respect the climbers featured have for this place, Kura Tawhiti, commonly known as Castle Hill. Joshua Briones-Yap, climber and graphic designer, expressed this best by describing his approach to climbing at Castle Hill, which involved sidelining the ego and embracing a sense of play.

To the unfamiliar, the boulders might look approachable, but the softness of the limestone and a lack of holds challenges even the most experienced climbers. A feeling of humility and deep respect for the rock is woven thoughtfully throughout Visions. It sets this film apart from other climbing films that focus on outcome, ego, and a desire to conquer nature.

The creativity required for climbing at Castle Hill is reflected in the film and book, from the use of different cameras and shots that capture the intimate and minute movements necessary to navigate the boulders.

Like a seedling searching for sunlight, fingers delicately feel out a small hole, moving nimbly to navigate a potential hold. The climbers’ patience, determination, and playfulness reminded us that spending time outside and moving with friends is meant to be fun.

Local climber Kenji Boekholt has been visiting Castle Hill since his childhood. This has developed into a strong sense of responsibility to care for this place and ensure that future generations can share this playground.

Castle Hill is an unusual crag, as climbers must clean the lines before attempting to climb them, as the combination of chalk and rubber from shoes creates a sandpaper effect, wearing away at the fragile limestone.

Despite the increased popularity, stubborn lichen insists on growing back onto the rock. This combination makes an already hard line impossible, so before attempting a pitch, the crew set up top ropes and, with a toothbrush and water squirter in hand, clean the rock free of residue chalk and fresh lichen.

Over 15-minutes, Visions beautifully captures a moment in time, making you nostalgic for your own past adventures.

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Hearing Joshua, Kenji, Ben, and Mondo recount stories from their time at Castle Hill only made the reminder of simpler times more potent. I’m sure every person there left with a desire to plan their next adventure with a group of mates, to get back to a youthful sense of play and appreciation for slower days spent exploring, eating, laughing, and lying in the grass in the sunshine.

Visions retrospectively connect the threads of place, time, and people that create a life-affirming adventure. It tells a unique story about a fragile place that brings joy to people and inspires them to give back to a place they are grateful for.

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Photos thanks to @benclement_