Thread: Jeremy Jones' Further - Movie of the Year

I finally saw the movie I was definitely most excited for this year, TGR/Jeremy Jones' Further. No ski movie I can remember has so impressed me. I feel that the level of effort, commitment, risk, and ability on display in the film -- from the riders as well as the production crew -- obviously sets it far apart from other films. Its not for everyone: If you prefer urban riding or man-made snow features you'll probably disagree with me. And though Further is definitely not a low-budget flick, the Travis Rice/Red Bull in-your-face, multiple helicopter, Phantom camera-style movie is at the top of the heap for the ultra hi-def style of ski film. But for pure talent and commitment, no one is more out there than Jeremy.



I can find critiques to make regarding some of the voice-overs , which seem at times oddly shallow considering the life-on-the-line situations the riders are putting themselves in. "Yeah you get beat down but ride another day. Its all about building friendships and we're such good friends now that we went snow camping. This shit is fucking heavy." Basically sums much of the words spoken in the film. But the adventures and experiences documented far outweigh the obligatory voice-overs.

The locations. My god. How Jones' is able to pick the most far-flung spots, stacked with incredible lines is absurd. The Japan segment? This isn't teenagers with Hellbents skiing pow in the trees next to a chairlift, this is extraterrestrial Japanese alpine terrain, like you draw on a notebook or imagine while on hallucinogens. Unreal. The 180 km snowmobile approach into the Arctic Circle on Svalbard? Are you fucking kidding me? And the segment from the Wrangells is a movie unto itself. No words can do those images justice.

The production. Though the viewer rarely sees the details of how this is possible, somehow in every segment there is a cameraman putting himself in just as exposed a position as the riders. Whether its the barbie angle on an opposing peak, or climbing and riding the same lines as the pros, the cameramen did an incredible job.

The riding. So they go to the most absurd locations, find incredible snow, climb incredible terrain, bla bla bla, but in the end it comes down to the riding. The strength of these snowboarders is so ridiculous I just watch mouth agape, unbelieving in their level. The line Jeremy rides at midnight in Svalbard? What the fuck!? The spine walls the boys get into in the Wrangells, each and every one a no-fall zones hanging above gaping 100' bergschrunds? Literally made me nauseous.

In conclusion, I must ask, can they actually push this thing any more? Throughout the movie the whole crew put themselves at so much risk, so consistently toed the line between life and death, that I don't know if I want to see another film like this. Time will tell if there is another level to reach for, or if Further will represent the high water mark of this era of snowboarding. Cause one thing is sure. While a few come close, there ain't another Jeremy Jones out there.

It was seriously hardcore and pretty insane at times. Great movie with cool insight. It was great to meet Jeremy last year, such a laid back cool guy

Sick flick and 2nd in a trilogy, right?

Can't wait a few years for the next one hopefully!!!

saw it last nite and was thoroughly impressed, gripped and entertained. the remoteness of the locations, the rowdiness of the lines, the quality of riding all set this movie apart. the climbing footage gives you a rare glimpse at how real things can get out there at times and how fine the line is between success/failure, life and death.

i have to agree on the cameramen: unsung heroes climbing sketchy bootpacks with tons of gear -- and they don't even get to ski/ride down in the end.

well done all around.

agreed. my 9 yr old was as fully engrossed in a movie that i have ever seen him be

Watched it last night and was wholly impressed. I liked Deeper and this was far, far, far, far, far better on so many levels. Outstanding flick. Only one complaint: towards the end, JJ went on a "solo mission" ... and was climbing in the bootpack set by the cameraman twenty feet ahead of him. I'm glad the photogs got some credit in the extras, but labeling that segment as a "solo mission" was stupid.

Buy this movie. Buy it now. I can't wait for Higher.

wow thanks drew, I'll probably download it

It was good, but Deeper was better in so many ways. There are enough movies out there that show stoke. Sick lines, remote locations, lots of gnar are par for the course. Deeper had a better story and filmed more of the up. There was a lot more mountaineering, touring, and assessment/discussion of line choice in Deeper. We need more movies like that. We need more movies that show the work, skill, and preparation involved in riding backcountry lines. Movies that show how dangerous it is, and how much preparation is involved in choosing a line. Movies that show it's not just a helicopter ride to the top and the best run of your life.

Drew, not sure if you saw Australis or Deeper, but I was much more impressed with both of those than I was with Further. Further was the movie that I was most stoked about seeing this year, and so far, has been the best movie I've seen this season. Some of the locations, and the production were amazing. But I couldn't help leaving kind of disappointed that there was so much downhill action. There were many instances where you would have had no idea they made it to the top on there own power.

Originally Posted by treewell-dweller

the remoteness of the locations

I have not seen Further, so perhaps there is more, however the Japan locations I am aware that they hit are perhaps rowdy, but totally and utterly not remote. Not even a little bit. It is a strange misconception that one.

Further was great and I really enjoyed it compared with most ski/snowboard videos but, I agree with NJfreeskier that Deeper was better. I liked that Deeper showed them throughout the seasons and not just on expeditions. Further was all about the remote locations as the name suggests.

Higher has me worried. Whats it going to be Himalaya, Andes and the Alaska range? High elevations? It will continue to be incredibly entertaining and inspiring.