Vital Distribution and Vital Productions are proud to present Au pied du mur, the first feature-length documentary directed by Alexandra Elkin. Presented to a sold-out crowd at the Fantasia International Film Festival last summer, it will be shown on March 13 at Cinéma Beaubien, Cinéma Le Clap Ste-Foy, Cinéma Pine and Cinéma Le Tapis Rouge. A series of screenings in the presence of the film team will be held in several cities in Quebec.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, March 8, two special screenings were organized in Sainte-Adèle (Cinéma Pine) and in Montréal (Cinéma Beaubien), followed by discussions with director Alexandra Elkin and protagonist Dierdre Wolownick, climber and mother of the legendary Alex Honnold.
Visiting Quebec to accompany the theatrical release of the film, Dierdre Wolownick will participate in five other cinema meetings, namely in Gatineau (Cinéma 9), Trois-Rivières (Cinéma Le Tapis Rouge), Sherbrooke (La Maison du Cinéma), Quebec (Cinéma Le Clap Ste-Foy) and Montreal (Cinémathèque québécoise).
SynopsisFrom the arid region of Red Rock Canyon to the impressive Yosemite Valley, filmmaker Alexandra Elkin embarks on an adventure that is as physical as it is introspective, where each climb pushes her to reconsider her limits. At his side, two exceptional climbers, Jack Lambert and Dierdre Wolownick, passionate septuagenarians, opened the way for him and proved that it is always possible to push one’s limits when practicing an extreme sport. Carried by radically different philosophies and life paths, these inspiring mentors show that age is not a barrier, but a new starting point. At 71, Dierdre became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan. At 73, Jack seeks to pass on his experience to the next generation. For Alexandra, this meeting will be a catalyst: confronted with her fears, she discovers what it really means to leave her comfort zone. Thus, from dream to reality, his group of young climbers unexpectedly finds themselves in the big leagues.
SPECIAL SCREENING SCHEDULESunday March 8 at 12:30 p.m. | Cinema Pine (Sainte-Adèle)In original French and English version with French subtitlesScreening followed by a discussion with director Alexandra Elkin and Dierdre Wolownick, climber and protagonist of the film, on the occasion of International Women’s Rights Day <billetterie.cinemapine.com/FR/Film-achats.awp?P1=92288> Information and tickets
Sunday March 8 at 4 p.m. | Cinéma Beaubien (Montreal)In original French and English version with French subtitlesScreening followed by a discussion with director Alexandra Elkin and Dierdre Wolownick, climber and protagonist of the film, on the occasion of International Women’s Day
Monday March 9 at 1 p.m. | Cinéma 9 (Gatineau)In original French and English version with French subtitlesScreening followed by a discussion with director Alexandra Elkin and Dierdre Wolownick, climber and protagonist of the film
Tuesday March 10 at 5:30 p.m. | Cinémathèque québécoise (Montreal)In original French and English version with French subtitlesScreening followed by a discussion with director Alexandra Elkin and Dierdre Wolownick, climber and protagonist of the film
Thursday March 12 at 7 p.m. | Cinema Le Tapis Rouge (Trois-Rivières)In original French and English version with French subtitlesScreening followed by a discussion with director Alexandra Elkin and Dierdre Wolownick, climber and protagonist of the film
Friday March 13 at 6:30 p.m. | La Maison du Cinéma (Sherbrooke)In original French and English version with French subtitlesScreening followed by a discussion with director Alexandra Elkin and Dierdre Wolownick, climber and protagonist of the film
Saturday March 14 at 4 p.m. | Cinema Le Clap Ste-Foy (Québec)In original French and English version with French subtitlesScreening followed by a discussion with director Alexandra Elkin and Dierdre Wolownick, climber and protagonist of the film
Sunday March 15 at 1:30 p.m. | Cinémathèque québécoise (Montreal)In original French and English version with French subtitlesScreening followed by a discussion with director Alexandra Elkin
AT THE FOOT OF THE WALL by Alexandra Elkin With Jack Lambert, Dierdre Wolownick and Alex Honnold Feature documentary. Quebec/Canada. 2025. 75 minutes. In original French and English version with French or English subtitles. Director: Alexandra Elkin | Screenplay: Alexandra Elkin and Étienne Plasse | Direction of photography: Frédérick Breton | Editing: Étienne Plasse | Music: William Gendreau Coronel | Sound design and mixing: Jérôme Boiteau | Production director: Roxanne Geoffroy | Content producer: Sandrine Béchade | Producer: Serge Desrosiers | Production: Vital Productions | Distribution: Vital Distribution