PartnerNews | Engelberg - Freeride movie SNOW

There's news from Engelberg and Anton Thorin. I got to know Anton last season when PowderGuide interviewed him about his freeride film Freeride Symphony. His new film, “SNOW”, will be released on October 9th. I managed to catch Anton just in time before he set off on his around-the-world sailing trip. Unfortunately, the interview was done in writing due to the timing, but I’m happy that he was able to make the time for it.

Klara: Hey Anton, can you tell us a bit about your background as a filmmaker? How did your journey begin, and what drew you specifically to sports and ski filmmaking?

Anton: The background goes further back, when I moved to Chamonix to do my first ski season back in 2011. It was meant to be one season and to continue my studies, at the time I didn't really know what I wanted to study but during those years everyone was studying so I thought that was the correct path to go, little did I know that I was going to spend 8 years in Chamonix and then 5 years in Engelberg. 

It all started with me in front of the camera, shooting with my good friend and mentor, Niclas Karlsson. At this stage it was mainly photos. I picked up the interest and bought myself a camera to document my adventures in the Mt.Blanc massif.

Moved to Engelbeg and a few years later, I started up my own company as a freelance photographer. Worked mainly as a content creator and we had a blast! A friend of mine who I met in Chamonix decided to move to Engelberg for a winter season, He's a FPV (
First Person View) pilot and that's when I started filming, mostly with cinematic drones. We started a youtube channel called Adventure Vikings during Covid and we grew as a team to film more and more. After a while we wanted to focus more on filming so we assembled a crew of skiers and snowboarders to film our first ever short film, this was last year and we produced a film called Freeride Symphony. At the same time we got more and more work with a focus on video, everything from filming aftermovies for events/competitions to shooting promotion videos for different mountain resorts.

No school but a lot of hours spent watching different videos on youtube about videography to learn about the topics I wanted/needed to evolve as a videographer.

Klara: Sports and outdoor films have rapidly evolved in recent years. How have you experienced the technical changes in the film world, particularly in sports filmmaking? Which innovations have
influenced your work the most?

Anthon: I have always been a big fan of ''light is right'' in the mountains and when it comes to camera gear there are no exceptions. The bird's view of skiing without having to use a helicopter is just great and I finally got to use my previous skills of playing video games so a controller in my hands felt natural when I was flying drones. Combining this with a FPV drone was a gamechanger and we have been testing out new techniques to make a cinematic touch in our shots.

Klara: When was the first time you realized "snow" isn't just "snow" but can be of various types? Where
have you personally experienced verry different types of snow?

Anthon: The winter season has different phases right, starts off with cold temperatures with a lot of snow, bottomless snow and awesome riding in the forest. After a few days the snow is more compact and we go out ski touring to search for good snow. In the end we start building with the snow to make jumps and other fun features. 

So as much as the indigenous population listen to the nature of what tasks can be done and how to live their lives, so do the skiers. Surviving or sliding, both groups follow the snow.

Klara: What is your personal perfect type of snow and if you could give it a name, how would you call it?

Anthon: As much as I love going touring and exploring in the mountains, nothing beats the good ol' tits deep conditions, most recently I've picked up snowboarding again and that surf feeling is just B-e-a-utiful!

I would also take the moment to just briefly tell you about why we had a strict budget.

We have been saving money for two years to buy a sailboat to sail around the world, it has been so demanding and tough but we made it! We bought the boat in May and have been preparing to leave for the ocean for two years.

If you have read this far, thank you! It also means that we have left Sweden on our 50ft sailboat. Me, Harald the fpv pilot, Robin the chef and Gustaf the musician. Together we have started a youtube channel called WEARESEETHEWORLD and we are documenting the whole voyage and would love to see you on our channel, join the tribe and say hello! :)

Klara: Thank you Anton and I wish you all the best for the new adventure!