Nissan Outdoor Games in Interlaken - great success and amazing artworks!

Nissan Outdoor Games – the 5th edition of the premiere European outdoor sports event

Interlaken, May 30, 2009 – The projection of the Nissan Outdoor Games official film selection took place Saturday evening in front of six thousand spectators in awe, for a breathtaking show in the center of Interlaken. The Finnish team, GOLGOHT, won the GoldenPeak, the award that given to the best film of this 2009 edition. For their first time participating, the Swiss team, Natural Born Flyers, was given the Jury’s Special Award as well as the Best Sports Sequence for climbing scene with Cyril Albasini. The Finn, Petri Kovalainen from the Golgoht team, won the Best Photographer award as well as the Game of Light Award by Julbo.

The task for the five teams from all over Europe was challenging: to produce a 5-minute short film in 7 days including 5 outdoor sports in the Interlaken region. The best athletes of each discipline as well as the impressive film production crews went all out at the Nissan Outdoor Games...

10 nationalities and just as many points of view came together to present extreme sports on the big screen. Saturday evening, the teams revealed how images and creativity play major roles in freestyle sports. Too often left unseen, these outdoor sports celebrate this showcase and added visibility in events such as the Nissan Outdoor Games. The magic of the big screen allows you to truly experience their performances, which is appreciated by the spectators. The crowd filled with those discovering the sports, Indian tourists and local families thoroughly enjoyed and applauded the teams’ efforts. The films presented were showered with reactions of enthusiasm and amazement delighting the five teams and the spectators.

Awards

Petri Kovalainen from the Scandinavian team won the Best Photographer award. Glen Plake, president of the jury, concluded that each team had a diamond photo. “We were to choose the Best Photographer and not simply the best photo. Petri’s work perfectly represented his technique. From portraits to action shots, his photos tell the story of the Golgoht team throughout the event.”

One of the shots from Petri Kovalainen also amazed the jury of the Julbo Game of Light award by its’ interpretation of light as well as creativity. Using the projection from various light sources using filters, the image convinced the jury. Another photo honorably mentioned was that of Stuart Knowles where he used reflections in the black and white photo.

The task was quite difficult for the jury when they were obliged to award the films as the quality of the film production and athletic performances were quite impressive. At the conclusion of the heated deliberations by the 8 members of the jury, the Finnish team GOLGOHT held high the massive ‘GoldenPeak’ trophy. The best film of the Nissan Outdoor Games is also awarded a prize of $15,000 US. Extremely well prepared, the Finnish team stood out for their creativity on all levels whether is be in the scenario, editing, sound design and action. The transitions between scenes were particularly hailed by the jury, as was the editing. With this victory, the Golgoht declared their style in this 5th edition.

The Jury’s Special Award was given to the Swiss Team, Natural Born Flyers, for their cinematography and originality. The jury wanted to encourage a young, talented team that brought a fresh approach and evoked new emotions.

The Swiss also won the Best Sports Sequence for the climbing scene performed by Cyril Albasini in Natural Born Flyers.

Rather than pushing the limits in outdoor sports, the Nissan Outdoor Games again reveals that certain subjects can be addressed with a sports film. The themes represented in the 2009 films go from the meaning of life and death, profound feelings as well as harmony with nature.

Through the short films presented, the importance of the technological progress in each of these outdoor sports is evident. Whether it be the composite materials used in kayaks or mountain bikes, the aerodynamics of wingsuits, the speed and dynamics of the maneuvers in acrobatic paragliding or the adaptation of climbing techniques in an urban environment, it is truly interesting to see the constant evolution of these sports through the lens of the film directors present at the Nissan Outdoor Games. Creativity and evolution are the keywords of this 5th edition, revealing the livelihood of these modern disciplines that have made their mark on the 21st century.

Presentation of the 2009 Films

Ride the Planets, Team France - click here to see the film
An old legend says the Oberland Bernois forest is haunted by the spirit of a man constantly seeking adrenaline. Offended by his powers, the Gods decide to punish him by taking his soul. Possessed by this rambling spirit, the characters acquire strange supernatural powers. A film packed with special effects topped off with humor!

Golgoht, Team Scandinavia - click here to see the film
After a night of partying, a man has strange dreams. Through his hallucinations, he experiences the feats of high level athletes in kayak, BASE jump, paragliding, mountain biking and climbing mixed with rants of a mysterious homeless man.

Argon, Team Austria - click here to see the film
Five young children meet up in a field where an old woman with a powerful spirit reveals their futures. This film tells how destiny guides the lives of normal people and how certain people have an influence on what could be seen as pre-destined.

NBFlyers, Team Switzerland - click here to see the film
The storyline of this film is how motion is the common denominator of extreme sports. The agility of a juggler sets the rhythm for the athletic achievements. The film uses intense moments of serenity to explain what each athlete feels.

Gravity Workshop, Team Russia - click here to see the film
Each person arrives on earth with no experience. The road of life is long and filled with questions. However, each moment deserves to be experienced to understand the magic of our existence. The film is a metaphor of birth and experience, how life is an eternal rebirth.

See the photographers’ slideshows and much much more on the event's official website!

Members of the jury:

- Glen Plake (USA) – President of the Jury, professional skier & actor
- Serge-Alain Simasotchi (SUI) – TV Producer and Director, former track & field high-level athlete
- Eric Themel (AUT) – Professional snowboarder
- Dino Raffault (FRA) - Journalist & Extreme sports event organizer
- Simon Hirter (SUI) – Professional kayaker
- Cyril Neri (SUI) - Professional snowboarder, Freeride projection manager of the Diablerets Mountain Film Festival
- Tero Repo (FIN) – Professional photographer specialized in outdoor sports
- Christophe Margot (SUI) – Professional photographer specialized in outdoor sports