National Geographics co-production with Abu Dhabi-based Image Nation, Free Solo, wins an Oscar for the best documentary. Dubbed in Arabic, it will air on National Geographic Abu Dhabi in April.
National Geographics co-production with Abu Dhabi-based Image Nation, Free Solo has been awarded an Oscar for Best Documentary (Feature) at the prestigious Academy Awards held last night in Los Angeles. Celebrating the win, Fox Networks Group will be screening the documentary feature on National Geographic in the Middle East starting from April. Local screenings are also planned for the UAE.
To date the film has grossed a record-breaking $17.2 million at the box office. It has received 43 nominations and 16 awards, including Best Documentary at the prestigious British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs).
Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the 2018 documentary follows rock climber Alex Honnolds death-defying ascent of El Capitan a 3,000 foot high vertical rock in Yosemite National Park with no ropes or safety gear.
Speaking about the newest accolade, Sanjay Raina, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Fox Networks Group said: We are very excited to be bringing National Geographics award-winning Free Solo to Arab audiences, fully dubbed in Arabic, and airing it across the Middle East on National Geographic Abu Dhabi alongside the English version on National Geographic. We are also proud to have partnered with Image Nation, an Abu Dhabi based, global company to produce a visual masterpiece that has delighted and inspired so many people around the world.
The documentary was produced by Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation along with Little Monster Films and National Geographic. It was named among the top 10 films of the year by Entertainment Weekly and was praised by critics across the globe as one of the most arresting documentaries of the year and visually staggering. It was equally praised for its stunning cinematography, chronicling Alex Honnolds ascent of the vertical rock.
