A new ski film featuring some of the world’s best freeride athletes has an unusual narrator. We Can’t Not, a co-production between Legs of Steel and Red Bull Media House, is narrated by actor Sean Bean (who plays Boromir in The Lord of the Rings and Eddard Stark in Game of Thrones, though I’ll personally always think of him as Ian Howe in National Treasure), and takes a different approach to the traditional ski movie.
Presented by Völkl with Peak Performance, Mammut, and The North Face, the film explores the obsession behind skiing and the people who dedicate their lives to capturing it on camera. Rather than simply showcasing spectacular lines and big mountain skiing, We Can’t Not tells the story of what goes into making a ski film and why people continue to pursue the sport despite its risks and challenges.
A Ski Film About Making Ski Films
At the center of the story is Paddy Graham, a Sheffield native who has spent much of his life making ski films. Featuring Kye Petersen, Markus Eder, Tom Ritsch, Finn Bilous, and Graham, the project follows two years of filming across several countries. Alaska serves as the primary locaation with additional footage captured in Whistler, Japan, New Zealand, Italy, Switzerland, and elsewhere.
Written and directed by Adam Gendle, We Can’t Not features an original soundtrack by Cari Cari and narration from Bean. The combination of big mountain skiing, behind-the-scenes filmmaking, and personal storytelling offers something different from the usual ski movie formula. Ultimately, the film revolves around one simple question. Why do we do this?