The Free Man

With The Free Man, genre-hopping director Toa Fraser (The Dead Lands) takes on the world of extreme sport. The globetrotting documentary is built around encounters between Kiwi freestyle skier Jossi Wells and The Flying Frenchies, known for their base jumps, wingsuit flying and tightrope walks at terrifying heights. As Wells gets direct experience in the art of walking a highline, director Fraser investigates what adrenaline junkies gain — and lose — when putting their lives on the line. The Free Man got its Kiwi premiere during the 2017 NZ International Film Festival.

The mindset you have to have, the confidence that it takes, it's very similar to what I do. I never really thought I was chasing an adrenaline hit ... but when I was able to do that stuff with them I was able to realise the connection between the two. I do get a lot of adrenaline when I do what I do...

– Jossi Wells on links between freestyle skiing and the activities of the Flying Frenchies, Mpora website, 4 May 2017

Key Cast & Crew

Jossi Wells

Subject

Toa Fraser

Director, Story Treatment

Matthew Metcalfe

Writer, Producer

Cushla Dillon

Writer, Co-Editor

Chris Plummer

Writer, Co-Editor

Jill Soper

Line Producer