Reinhold Messner, a true adventurer

He’s a politician, thrill seeker and author of 50 books, but the former Italian MP to the EU Parliament, Reinhold Messner, is not done yet.

He  has now ventured into movie-making. The mountaineer is in the country to shoot a movie titled  Still Alive.

It is based on the dramatic rescue of an Austrian man who was stuck on Mt Kenya for close to two weeks. Messner, who was a representative of the Green party in the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004, has been camping  at the Naromoru Lodge for the last two weeks.

The 71-year- old  talked to Zuqka  about the movie, Kenyan actors, politics and his love for adventure.

What is the movie about?

Still Alive is based on the true story of two young Austrian mountain climbers, Gurd Judmaier and his colleague, Koni, who set out to tackle Nelion, one of Mt Kenya’s peaks. However, Judmaier slipped and fell into an 80-foot gully.

The accident and the rescue operation that lasted a record 13 days claimed the life of a helicopter pilot in a fatal crash. The 100-minute movie will be available for screening next year.

What challenges have you faced while shooting the movie here?

So far we have incurred no challenges. We managed to take good shots despite the rainy weather; the shooting was much better than expected.

How do you rate Kenyan actors?

They are the bomb! (laughs). We worked with nrealy 20 people in the movie, mostly porters in the region who we had to undergo a crash course in acting.

They have a great way of using their facial expressions.

Kenyan actors in this movie have put great effort, proving they are on the right track. It is my debut as a director, so it has been quite a learning experience for me.

This is your second visit to the country; why did you decide to shoot the movie here?

I came back for adventures and to make films. Mt Kenya has great scenery; the flora and fauna makes it colourful. No one can resist the view. Mt Kenya has great potential for  attracting tourists and shooting the movie here would also boost the country.

You have climbed many mountains despite having several accidents. Why do you do it?

There is thrill in mountaineering, even with  the dangers you have to go through. Surviving is a great adventure. When you survive death, you feel good. It is something that normal people cannot understand.

We go where death is a possibility, but the art is not to die.

What are som of your climbing achievements?

I am an adventurer. I have climbed the world’s highest peaks.  I have climbed all 14, 8,000 mega peaks, gone to the South Pole, crossed the Atlantic, the North Pole among other adventures. mine has been a fun-filled life.

 When did you start mountain climbing?

As a chilc, I lived in a mountainous  area. This is what brought out my  talent in mountain climbing, which I started in 1949.

Besides mountaineering, what else do you do for a living?

I am a politician and a prolific writer with more than 50 books on mountain climbing. But this  is not to put food on the table. I do it all for fun.

Why did you leave politics?

Five years was enough for me. I had to leave to allow young people to also participate. People should not remain in politics  for more than 10, otherwise they make a career of it, not service to the people.

I needed to do something different in life. I needed to participate more adventures too. I also had an accident and broke my leg, I could not do my best in that situation.

What keeps you motivated?

I am a person who tries to go strictly on my way if I have a clear view.