Faces Nord (1987)
A tense, real-time French documentary capturing one mountaineer's audacious solo bid to chain three legendary Alpine north faces in a single push.
Faces Nord - Movie Information
- Original Title: Faces Nord
- Release Year: 1987
- Directed by: Jean Afanassieff
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary, Adventure
- Runtime: 26m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Production Companies: MC4, Cinévision
- Production Countries: France
Faces Nord - Plot
March 12, 1987. The young French mountaineer Eric Escoffier prepares his equipment, very reduced in material and food. He leaves the next day and intends to chain three north faces in the Alps: Eiger, Matterhorn and Grandes Jorasses. The ascent of the first summit, the Eiger is slow, difficult and full of pitfalls. It takes 17 hours to reach it. Without recognizing the terrain —he prefers to improvise— the mountaineer continues through the Matterhorn. When night falls, anxiety is felt on Zermatt's side. Help is organized to pick him up. Despite his refusal to return, Escoffier is finally hoisted. Christophe Profit, a few hours earlier, managed the chain of three summits.
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Faces Nord - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jean Afanassieff
Main Cast
- Eric Escoffier
- Jean Afanassieff
- Christophe Profit
Writers
- Jean Afanassieff
Faces Nord - FAQs
What is Faces Nord about?
Faces Nord follows French mountaineer Eric Escoffier as he attempts to solo-chain three legendary Alpine north faces — the Eiger, the Matterhorn, and the Grandes Jorasses — in a single push. The film captures the raw tension, physical hardship, and improvised decision-making of one of alpinism's most audacious challenges.
Did Eric Escoffier complete all three north faces?
Escoffier did not complete the full chain. After a grueling 17-hour ascent of the Eiger and a difficult push through the Matterhorn, anxiety mounted and a rescue team was dispatched. Despite refusing help, he was eventually brought down. Christophe Profit, however, successfully completed the three-summit chain just hours earlier.
Who is Christophe Profit and what did he achieve?
Christophe Profit is a celebrated French alpinist who, on that same March day in 1987, became the first person to link the three great Alpine north faces — Eiger, Matterhorn, and Grandes Jorasses — in a single continuous solo effort. His achievement, completed just hours before Escoffier's rescue, makes the film's ending all the more striking.
Is Faces Nord based on real events?
Yes, entirely. Faces Nord is a documentary capturing actual events from March 12–13, 1987, when Eric Escoffier and Christophe Profit both attempted to chain the three great north faces of the Alps. The footage is real, the danger is real, and the outcome — including the rescue — unfolded exactly as shown.
Who directed Faces Nord?
Jean Afanassieff directed Faces Nord. He also appears in the film himself and wrote the screenplay. Afanassieff is known for his work documenting extreme mountain pursuits, and his firsthand familiarity with alpinism gives the film an authenticity that sets it apart from conventional adventure documentaries.
What are the three north faces featured in the film?
The three north faces at the heart of the film are the Eiger (Switzerland), the Matterhorn (on the Swiss–Italian border), and the Grandes Jorasses (France–Italy). Each is considered among the most technically demanding and dangerous routes in the Alps, collectively known as the “three great north faces.”
What similar documentaries would fans of Faces Nord enjoy?
If Faces Nord resonates with you, check out Free Solo (2018), The Alpinist (2021), Meru (2015), and The Dawn Wall (2017). Each film dives deep into the world of extreme climbing, blending breathtaking visuals with intimate portraits of athletes pushing the absolute limits of human endurance and courage.
How long is Faces Nord?
Faces Nord runs just 26 minutes — a short documentary that wastes no time getting into the action. Its compact runtime makes it an intense, focused watch that delivers the full emotional arc of Escoffier's attempt without any padding, making every minute feel urgent and purposeful.
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