October: the perfect time to start getting hyped for the winter. The air is cooler, the leaves are turning, and ski and snowboard films are being released by the dozens. Faction Collective released their first ever ski film, and I was lucky enough to catch a screening at The Depot back on October 12th. True to the Faction roots, the film This Is Home features serious big mountain riding coupled with progressive park action. Featuring athletes such as Candide Thovex, Duncan Adams, and Utah’s own Johnny Collinson, the film aimed to allow the riders a chance to explore their stomping grounds. The result is an entertaining and ambitious project. So here’s my This is Home by Faction Collective review:
STANDOUT SEGMENTS
This Is Home opens with a segment fronted by Montana’s Adam Delorme. A good choice, as the cameras document Delorme and his cohorts dropping steep pillow lines and sketchy cliffs- the perfect big mountain hype intro. The film keeps a good pace, and it’s not long before Johnny Collinson’s part (obviously a crowd pleaser in Utah) takes center stage. Collinson and the crew hit some familiar looking spots in the Cottonwoods, and quite a few places I’ve never seen before. The intensity is ramped up towards the end, as Collinson shows his juevos by bombing some very serious-looking chutes with high consequences surrounding him on every side. Overall, Utah skiers will be pumped as Johnny demonstrates why people from around the world covet the famous Wasatch steep n’ deep.
While Collinson’s Utah scene is satisfying, it is perhaps one-upped by Candide Thovex’ part from La Clusaz, France. Quick, abrupt edits show Thovex flying down his home mountain, followed closely by youngster Henry Sildaru. They bomb around the hill, airing off wind lips and side hits, while no music at all plays in the background. The only sound is the wind and their skis against the snow. I found it quite a beautiful choice, tearing down the concept of the modern ski video into the simplest form: a couple of guys going full bore down their favorite run, zoning out any distractions along the way.
HYPE OR TRIPE?
The biggest question for any snow movie is: does it get you hyped to get out there and shred? The answer for This Is Home is YES! It checks all the boxes: gorgeous big mountain terrain with hair-raising lines chosen, street section featuring all the big tricks of the day, and progressive park riding with a healthy mix of male-to-female rippers.
My complaint with the movie is that the thread that is supposed to weave all the segments together is a bit lacking. Yes, there is a testimonial from each rider before their home terrain is skied, but it felt a bit hollow. I wanted to see some interaction with other locals, more natural sound of the riders marveling at the hosts’ awesome backyards, and more of a connection between the riders and the playgrounds that shaped them. The only time I got this feeling was during the aforementioned Thovex/Sildaru part.
Despite this shortcoming, it’s hard not to give This Is Home a good rating. The Faction Collective has done a great job of assembling skiers who excel at their given disciplines, and have put in the hard work of filming entertaining parts. If you want a movie that combines almost every style of current skiing, you can’t go wrong with this snow flick. For more info on the film, the athletes and how to catch a screening, check out the website at www.thisishome.film.