Adam Ondra: Pushing The Limits

Scene opens with the film’s namesake, Adam Ondra, lying on a mat performing repetitive heavy breathing techniques. Next we see him clipped into the side of what looks to be an impossible mountain. Adam’s screams of both frustration and triumph can be heard across the valley, the perfect analogy for the documentary to come. Adam Ondra: Pushing the Limits follows elite climber Adam Ondra during his preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This was to be the first Olympics to include rock climbing in competition as a combined format sport. 

A bit of background for viewers who aren’t as familiar with climbing lingo, beta is like the recipe to a specific climb, the route a climber may follow to successfully reach the top. Onsight refers to a climber finishing a climb clean, the first time they see it, without any beta. Onsight is often the goal the first time a climber meets a new climb, and of course onsighting is highly revered. Something Adam achieves quite frequently. Even without a background of climbing the audience will easily be able to see the absolute skill Adam gracefully portrays throughout the film. However, as is expected with any elite athlete Adam is his own harshest critic and it can be heartbreaking to see how he reflects on what anyone else would see as a triumph. 

This documentary allows the audience to experience the 3 gruelling years of training leading up to Adam’s first Olympic competition. While he is no stranger to competing at an elite level, said to have won almost every other championship there is, climbing at the Olympics is quite a different feat. We see the work outs, the early mornings and the sacrifices along the way. After watching this film it’s easy to understand how Adam is respected as one of the best, if not the best, climbers in the world.

Praise should go to the Directors (Ptre Zubra, Jan Šimánek) for their persistence in gaining access to the more delicate parts of Adam and Iva’s lives, to show the reality of relationships and the added complexity of dating when you are the peak of an elite sport. As both Directors and Cinematographers Zaruba and Šimánek encapsulate Adam’s life, from top to bottom. From the up close and personal of just Adam’s fingertips tightly gripping the tiniest hold, to a view of the entire rock face he has already conquered. From weightlifting and training courses to intimate moments between family and friends, and even a wedding. A sense of loneliness is touched on, as we often see Adam training and performing solo. However, we are not privy to his interpretation of this scenario. Is it really as lonely as it seems at the top?

What brings heart, and perhaps helps this documentary stand out, is the other vulnerabilities shown, particularly from Adam’s partner, now wife, Iva. Her honesty and integrity shines through as she allows Petr and Jan into her world. Further exploration of Adam’s family and the inspiration behind his fascination with the sport could have allowed even more connection with the story as a whole. 

The cinematography throughout the documentary is truly stunning. We are able to travel around the world through our screen as the audience is treated to visions of awe-inspiring landscapes and natural areas many otherwise may never experience. Praise should go to film editor Pavel Kolaja for combing through what would have seemed like endless footage to get the best of the absolute best.

We also see behind the scenes of Adam filming his own content and the unfortunate requirement of the media as part of this life, bringing an almost irony to the documentary itself. Re-take after re-take, perhaps what we are watching is not actually reality.

Adam Ondra: Pushing the Limits is stunning in its form and leads the way for added intimacy to the celebrity of elite sport. While the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have come and gone, there are no spoilers here, you’ll have to watch this doco to find out how Adam fared. 

This film screens in Australia as part of the Czech and Slovak Film Festival. View the program and get your tickets at the button below.