Bianco: A Gripping Tale of Tragedy and Triumph on Mont Blanc's Frêney Pillar
Italy’s Be Water Film and Rai Cinema have released new images for the upcoming drama film Bianco, directed by Daniele Vicari. The movie delves into the tragic 1961 mountaineering accident on Mont Blanc’s central Frêney pillar, involving seven elite alpinists. The project, with a budget of 11.5 million euros, revisits the controversial event that remains a topic of discussion in the mountaineering community. Alessandro Borghi stars as Italian alpinist Walter Bonatti, leading a team attempting to conquer the challenging pillar, the last unscaled face of Mont Blanc.
During the ascent, Bonatti's team encountered a French rope team led by Pierre Mazeaud, facing a fierce storm that left them stranded on the pillar for four days without provisions or shelter. The film features a talented cast including Pierre Deladonchamps, Finnegan Oldfield, Marlon Joubert, Quentin Faure, Alessio Del Mastro, and Jonas Bloquet. Bianco is a collaborative effort between Italy’s Be Water Film, Rai Cinema, The Project Film Club from France, and Belgium’s Tarantula, with 01 Distribution handling the Italian release.
The production of Bianco involved filming at altitudes of 3,000 to 3,500 meters in Italy’s Aosta Valley, recreating the perilous pillar in a studio due to safety concerns. Director Daniele Vicari, known for his previous works like Maximum Velocity (V-Max) and Diaz – Don’t Clean Up This Blood, co-wrote the screenplay with Massimo Gaudioso, Francesca Manieri, and Marco Albino Ferrari. The film boasts a talented crew including cinematographer Gherardo Gossi, editor Benni Atria, set designer Marta Maffucci, and costume designer Emmanuele Youchnovski.
Bianco is a significant project for Be Water Film, marking their most ambitious endeavor to date. The film aligns with the company's goal of producing one major international project annually. CEO Mattia Guerra expressed confidence in the film's potential, citing its compelling screenplay, international appeal, and advancements in technology that enhance the visual storytelling of the mountain backdrop. With a completion target in the fourth quarter of the year, Bianco promises to captivate audiences with its gripping portrayal of the tragic mountaineering expedition.