Palpa Films Recce to France

Time spent on reconnaissance is seldom wasted, so James the director, and Charles our DOP headed to the Chamonix region of France to build momentum, plan aspects of the shoot but also to build rapport with some of the key characters who we hope will be in our documentary. Whilst out in country, we visited, filmed and ate with the charity Climb 2 Recovery who '“ offers climbing courses to veterans and help with both physical and mental recovery using climbing.”

James and Charles’ time in Chamonix was not just a recce; it was actually a transformative experience. It reinforced their belief in the power of storytelling, in the ability of a film to make a difference and evoke change. Armed with their newfound knowledge, they have returned, their bags laden not just with equipment, but with reinforced confidence and fresh ideas that they can bring to the documentary for good. The picturesque town is merely a backdrop; to the stories of struggle, of hope, resilience, and the unyielding human spirit. Through the documentary, the film crew aimed to immortalize these narratives, ensuring that the veterans' voices would resonate far beyond the mountains of Chamonix.

Chamonix has provided the inspiration, but it was the passion of the film crew that will bring these stories to life, reminding us all of the indomitable strength that resides within every veteran, waiting to be celebrated and acknowledged. Furthermore, the ripple effect our film will have across the veteran community and the wider public should not be underestimated.

Now they embark on a crowdfunding campaign, which is no easy task and has taken months of planning, all while holding down other filming commitments.