“Given the enthusiasm of the Belgian public last year, we wanted to offer several dates in Belgium, where there is a lot of passion for trail running”indicates Clément Besse, co-founder and conductor of the project.
Five films showing
Five films, from 15 to 46 minutes, are showing (see details below). With stories of athletes playing at the highest levels, such as a Thibaut Baronian measuring himself against Ultra, Blandine L’Hirondel trying to rebuild after an injury or the journey of Jean-Philippe Tschumi on the Diagonale des Fous. But also touching stories, like that of Jonathan, quadriplegicwho, with the help of his friends and family, becomes a finisher of the OCC, organized within the framework of the UTMB.
The Trail makes its cinema: information and tickets
The dates of the Belgian tour of “Trail fait son cinéma”
- February 11: Brussels (UGC)
- February 12: Louvain-la-Neuve (Pathé)
- February 13: Charleroi (Pathé)
- February 14: Namur (Pathé)
This human-scale festival was born from a meeting between its two founders. That of Clément Besse, who then worked at Salomon, and Thibaut Baronian, the brand’s elite athlete. The latter made a first film after a crossing of Cape Verde, which was broadcast during an awards ceremony.
“Enjoy yourself, take pleasure in beautiful images and beautiful stories, that’s what we now offer, by giving visibility to a whole series of short films that we have selected. Sharing, with a moment of exchange after the screening, is also at the heart of our project.”
The 4th edition of “Trail fait son cinéma” has a total of 30 dates, in France, Belgium and Switzerland.
Reservations for the Belgian dates are already open, at a price of €17.
>> The five films on display at the “Le Trail fait son cinéma” festival
Beneath the surface (2024, France, 26 minutes)
14 years after his debut in the discipline, 2024 marks a turning point for Thibaut. The child from Haute-Savoie turns a page to discover a distant desire, a deep desire: the ultra. Farewell Zegama, Sierre-Zinal and other classics which have punctuated its seasons for so many years. It is in distance and no longer speed that he will seek answers. With the highlight being the toughest race on the planet. Why this irrepressible need to change everything? Why now? “Beneath the Surface” is a dive into a new life. It is a turn towards an unknown path. The discovery of a new sport, and introspection.
- Realization : Simon Dugué
- Athlete : Thibaut Baronian
Kilometer zero (2024, France, 47 minutes)
Life is a race, racing is a life. A year ago, Blandine fell, suffering a stress fracture in her foot. An ordeal which closed a year of ups and downs and confronted her with doubt. The World Trail Champion had to get up.
His goal: a final selection for the French team for the European Championships in Annecy. A winding path where desire and uncertainty mixed at kilometer 0.
-This film traces its reconstruction, carried out by a united team. If Blandine runs alone, she can count on Lilian, her coach, and Mathieu, her partner. From the trails of Lozère to the shores of Lake Annecy, we plunge into the heart of a race against time, between passion for sport and pride in the jersey.
- Realization : Simon Dugué
- Athlete : Blandine L’Hirondel
Pointe Pessey (2024, France, 15 minutes)
In her village of Grand-Bornand nestled at the foot of Pointe Percée, Iris is preparing to take on a challenge that resonates well beyond the summits: setting an ascent record on this mountain that she has cherished since childhood. Between intense training sessions, silent doubts, Iris draws on her roots, her memories and her determination for her attempt.
Narrated by her twin brother with a mixture of humor and tenderness, the film paints the portrait of an inspiring woman, torn between the expectations of others and her deep love for this little-known mountain. Through his journey, we discover a quest for freedom, resilience in the face of adversity, and a reflection on what it really means to “reach a peak”.
- Realization : Alex Chambet
- Athlete : Iris Pessey
Without limit (2024, France, 31 minutes)
“Sans Limites” traces the incredible adventure of Jonathan, a quadriplegic, who, with the help of his friends and family, becomes a finisher of the OCC by UTMB, a trail of 57 km and 3,500 m of altitude difference.
Born from the creation of the Trail Sans Limite association, this collective adventure combines surpassing oneself and solidarity. In nine months, the team united around a common goal: to tame the joëlette, take on each training challenge and overcome doubts.
Between stories of preparation, moments of doubt and bursts of joy, the film celebrates the strength of the collective, resilience in the face of adversity and the power of sport as an engine of transformation. An inspiring testimony about the unity needed to triumph over the greatest obstacles.
- Realization : Sebastien Courbet
- Athlete : Jonathan Naboulet
The One (2024, France, 26 minutes)
After a year marked by injuries, Jean-Philippe Tschumi returns to the Diagonale des Fous, 175 km through the trails of Reunion Island. Third in 2023, second in 2022, he dreams of victory, but the ultra-trail forgives nothing. In an intense duel with Mathieu Blanchard, he faced rain, mud and the formidable Maïdo wall.
More than a race, “The One” is an inner journey. Between doubts, pain and perseverance, Jean-Philippe transforms this challenge into a personal victory, proving that giving the best of yourself is the greatest reward.
- Realization : Leo Euphrasia/Passion Trail
- Athlete : Jean Philippe Tschumi
“The trail makes its cinema” festival: information and tickets
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