The experimental stop-animation ski film by Sami Ortlieb forever alters the possibilities of pairing skiing with nature.
A professional skier, designer, filmmaker, and animator, Sami Ortlieb put his talent to work in this cleverly crafted animated ski film, “Maneuvers.” You’ll see Ortlieb’s passion for all of the above come together in this exploratory segment from the film “Romance.”
Skiers Rob Heule, Dane Kirk, Remco Kayser, and Ortlieb himself, boost off of kickers that appear out of nowhere. They rip up springtime wiggles that slither to life in front of them. They ride over features that build themselves and deconstruct on their own. And they fly through trees, whose branches part before them.
“Maneuvers” is an excerpt from Level 1’s 2019 feature ski film “Romance,” and is said to be the final chapter of annual films, which capture a modern-day golden age in skiing.
The stop-motion animation brings the landscape to life. With it, Ortlieb adds a trippy visual element to what would otherwise be a normal ski edit like any other.
Find more videos and merch at Level 1 Productions.
Runtime: 4 minutes
