TOP To the Mount ain Brian Plescia on the summit of Mt. Whitney S E P T E M B E R / O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 61 Brian Plescia and several other Napa men recently returned from Mt. Whitney where they filmed a documentary called “For Dad.” The story’s genesis stems from more than just a personal need. Says Brian, “Father and son relationships have always fascinated me. It’s an integral part of the ‘hero’s journey’ concept—films like Star Wars and Field of Dreams had a huge impact on me for that reason. “I feel like in today’s society, men, including myself, struggle with the concept of initiation into manhood. Cultures and generations previous have had more clearly defined transitions, and I think many men in today’s society have a need for that.” But it wasn’t just about fathers and sons. It was a personal journey. In 2007, Brian was badly injured in a fall from a second story building, not as much from the actual fall but from a person landing on top of him. He was nearly paralyzed with a broken back, dislocated knee, head trauma, and ruptured ear drum. After spending two years recovering both physically and mentally, Brian could walk, but regular life activities were still a challenge. And six years later, many still are. For his 40th birthday, Brian decided he needed a notable accomplishment to move forward with life. Following the footsteps of his father’s own 40thbirthday summit of Mt. Whitney 30 years before sounded just impossible enough. “I may be a bit naive in my belief that one big action would result in regaining that control of my life,” admits Brian. “And beyond that, can a son ever truly live up to the expectations that he himself perceives exist from his father? Can it ever be enough?...” Big questions that Brian eventually decided would make a great documentary film. The multi-generational, all-Napa assembled film team (plus Brian’s father Rick) spent eight days in the Sierra Nevada doing just that. The filmmakers became part of the journey and the story. They included winemaker and adventurer Jason Court, filmmaker and adventurer Rick Baraff, DP Brandon Katcher, and the youngest, Rejean Ruel. Filming at over 14,000 feet in elevation presented its own challenges as the team had to pack in everything, from food to batteries and camera gear. And then on the summit, near-disaster struck. “My knee basically popped out,” recounts Brian. “It was a little scary for a few moments, not knowing if I’d be able to walk. It brought me right back to the moment of my initial accident, lying face down on the ground and not being able to feel my legs. I found myself worried that even with a trauma, be it years ago or on the summit of the mountain, there wasn’t enough drama to warrant a film. But in the end, I had a story I wanted to tell and a question I needed an answer to.” When asked what he hopes the resulting film does, Brian has mixed hopes. “If nothing more than a chance to connect with my father and reach a greater understanding of our relationship, I would be happy. But maybe this project allows fathers and sons around the world an insight into their own relationships… That would be really cool.” The sun sets on Mt. Whitney as seen from camp Brian and his father after the climb
NVLife_SeptOct_2014
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