Death's Peak
Director: Willy Fair
Cast:Simon Pavelich
Crew:Writer: Tracey Murray. Producer: Louis Jousselme.
Email:deathspeakfilm@gmail.com
Synopsis
Desperate for connection, David digs up his brother’s corpse. With their trusty red wagon, they ascend a treacherous mountain in pursuit of their childhood dream.
About the director
Willy Fair is an animation director working primarily in stop motion animation. He uses texture and movement to create emotional stories inspired by his life. He currently resides between Los Angeles and London, where he recently graduated from NFTS. Before Directing he worked as an animator and Fabricators for clients including Disney, Nickelodeon, and Netflix.
Filmmaker's note
As a kid in Vail, Colorado, we would race wagons. One day, I launched off a cliff, an experience that felt like dying and flying at the same time. This film grew out of that memory and my need to explore personal grief and mourning, especially the unspoken, shameful parts that make us feel responsible and alone. I wanted a film that, at my lowest, would make me feel seen and understood.
David, our protagonist, is an amalgamation of the mountain-town people I grew up with and myself. He’s stuck at the age his brother died, caught between wanting change and being unable to move on. His journey mirrors my own mourning: starting in darkness, trapped in my head, then slowly opening my eyes to the fragile, painful beauty of the world.