The long-awaited documentary film, which will be released on cinema screens in 2025, has reached the beginning of production.
New upcoming Mountaineering film ‘The Road Never Ends’ is presented as an exciting adventure story about a person who craves challenge and inner freedom, about the peaks of our life and the world. Teodors Ķirsis (Tedy) overcoming physical, mental and prejudices created by the Soviet system, became one of the most prominent personalities of our new free state after the regaining of Latvia's independence. The film is based on the research conducted for many years by the author of the film, director Viktors Buda.
Teodors was a top climber from the Baltics during the 1980s and 1990s and one of the most popular men in independent Latvia. The most well-known Latvian alpinist in the global mountaineering community – Teodors Kirsis and his legendary team reached the world's highest peaks after the restoration of the country's independence. On december 9, 2003 Ķirsis together with the daughter and rest of his group tragically died during the Aoraki/Mount Cook expedition (3754 m, New Zealand).
Teodors Ķirsis started mountaineering during his studies in 1968. Climbed all the peaks of the USSR higher than 7000 meters (Komunism, Victory, Korzhenevsky, Lenin, Khantengri peak), for which he received the title of "Snow Leopard". After regaining Latvia's independence, he focused on climbing in the world's highest mountain range - the Himalayas and conquered the highest mountain peaks across continents.
During their active run for over ten years their achievements and reaching numerous mountain tops in the world inspired the people of independent Latvia as well as those within the community of fellow aplinists. Their overall lifespan of thirty years spent in the mountains without appropriate equipment during the Soviet times, GPS and other modern technological solutions was a true testiment to a man following his dreams and calling whilst grounded by limitations set by the ruling state system.
In this documentary film we will see previously unreleased recordings from the expeditions and video diaries of Teodors Kirsis that haven’t been made publicly available. as well as interviews with Teodors himself, friends, teammates and family.
The last mountain climb campaign of Teodors Kirsis in December of 2003 was ubrupted by a human tragedy – death of four Latvian alpinists in New Zealand, among whom were Teodors Kirsis and his daughter. These events have long vanished from the frontpages of newspapers and top stories of the day. Generations have changed and life goes on, yet the story of the crew of the most famous Latvian alpinists lives on, having become almost mythical and serving as an inspiration to those who choose to follow in their footsteps.
Teodors Ķirsis
The most popular alpinist in the history of independent Latvia and the most well-known Latvian in the global mountaineering community. A scientist, a public figure and Commander of The Order of Three Stars (1996). He started practicing mountaineering as a university student in 1968. Ķirsis summited all five peaks within the former USSR with height greater than 7000 m – Ismoil Somoni (former Communism) Peak, Pobeda Peak, Lenin Peak, Korzhenevskaya and Khan Tengri Peak – receiving the title of “Snow Leopard”.
After the restoration of independence of Latvia as a part of the first Latvian Himalayan expedition he together with Imants Zauls and Ilgvars Pauls reached 8167 m high Dhaulagiri Peak on October 10, 1993, and on May 14, 1995 he and Imants Zauls became first Latvians to summit Mount Everest (8848 m).
By 2001 he had reached the highest peaks of all continents, thus accomplishing the prestigious “Seven Summits” program for mountain climbers. On december 9, 2003 he and the rest of his group (Ilmārs Bernāns, Evija Ķirse, Aivars Prošenkovs) tragically died during the Aoraki/Mount Cook expedition (3754 m, New Zealand). During his lifetime he has led over 50 mountain expeditions and has written two books on alpinism.
Teodors ķirsis (from left) and team member Juris Alberts Ulmanis at the Mount McKinley peak, also called Denali - the tallest mountain in North America (1996).
Why is it not possible to finish this suddenly abrupted plot? - ”The Road never ends”, said Teodors Kirsis.
First National Everest Expedition team (1995, Tibet)
The upcoming film is Directed and written by Viktors Buda (known for documentary Era of Dance). The Road Never Ends will also feature many renowned climbers and members of Teodors Ķirsis group, among whom are Imants Zauls, Ilgvars Pauls, Juris Ulmanis, etc. mountain culture personalities.
This is his story, in biopic format, no studio green screens, in production for 2 years.
Work on the film began in the fall of 2022 and filming took place in several locations, including Kathmandu and the Himalayas.
Take a look at the forthcoming documentary “The Road Never Ends (2025)”.
Watch the first trailer with english subtitles below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op-L6Ysv8tU&t=59s
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https://www.facebook.com/theroadneverendsfilm
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