Tamashii Project: Review

Back in June, Hemlock Creative released the trailer for their first feature film Tamashii, featuring Andy Mahre, Karl Fostvedt and Anna Segal. This project took a different route in comparison to the other ski films you may have already watched this fall for a few different reasons. From the press release:

Tamashii is a social documentary told through an action sports narrative that aims to question our dependence on technology today, as well as its effects on future outdoor and social engagement. The film follows a small group of friends as they embark on a journey to Japan in search of snowfall while also disconnecting from their social media and technology based devices in order to re-evaluate it's purpose. Narrated by director Ross Reid, the film was shot in various locations around North America and Japan, and was produced using personal funds from the cast and crew with limited affiliation from outside sponsors. A Kickstarter campaign was launched in June of 2015 to raise additional funds for costs associated with postproduction, in which over 300 individual contributors helped bring this project to life.

I talked to Karl Fostvedt about the entire process back in June, and the interview can be found here. With the film releasing to Kickstarter backers December 9th and a public release marked for the 14th, here is a review in advance of the film's release. It will be available for purchase through iTunes and Vimeo, as well as being screened at various film festivals throughout 2016.

Andy Mahre. Credit: Ethan Stone

With the filmmaking process taking a different route than most ski movies you will find out there this season, the film itself also breaks the formula of a typical action sports project. The entire length of the movie is an in-depth look at the backstories of Anna, Andy and Karl, and documents their trip to Japan in an intimate way. You'll see every aspect of the trip - the good, the bad, the challenges, the face shots and the double backflips.

Anna Segal. Credit: Ethan Stone

Clocking in at 48 minutes, this movie documents the entire experience of the crew's trip to Japan from start to finish - what prompted the trip and the goal of disconnecting in the first place. The theme surrounding the movie exhibit an honest side that we can all relate to, and the mixed emotions many of us have towards social media. The storytelling is thought-provoking and leaves you questioning your own dependance and motivations. To counter that, the film also showcases all the fun elements of skiing at the end of the day and why it has us all addicted - the hoots and hollers of skiing deep powder and enjoying it with your friends.

Karl Fostvedt followed in-flight. Credit: Ethan Stone

Tamashii has it all - awesome aerial footage, pillows, backcountry booters, naked lines and a whole lot of double backflips. But not only that - you are taken along for the duration of the trip. The film makes you feel as though you are part of the crew - learning about Japanese culture, meeting the personalities that make these locations truly special and scoring the deepest powder of your life. It is a feature film that resembles a documentary-style travel log, while featuring a ton of awesome skiing at the same time. Download your copy and come along for the ride with the crew!

Quote from the film: "Social Media Is Kind of Stupid" -Andy Mahre. Credit: Ethan Stone

Dreamy lines in the Land of the Rising Sun. Credit: Ethan Stone

You can pre-order your copy of Tamashii for direct digital download here.