Free Solo! Alex Honnold and Chai Vasarhelyi discuss their award-winning film at Nobel Week Dialogue

Alex Honnold is a professional rock climber whose audacious free-solo ascents of America’s biggest cliffs have made him one of the most recognised and followed climbers in the world.
Chai Vasarhelyi is an Academy Award winning filmmaker. Most recently Vasarhelyi directed and produced 'Free Solo', an intimate, unflinching portrait of rock climber Alex Honnold.
As chief scientific officer for Nobel Media, Adam Smith has played a key role in putting together the Nobel Week Dialogue. His background is in scientific research and science publishing.

[@fixedpointfunky]

He asks why Chai thinks this movie affected people so much, I think in addition to her points is that it's practically the only documentary film capturing history *being made*. It's not reconstructing those moments after the fact, which I think carries a huge impact.

[@HTMLNoobz]

@Sightless Sniper clearly that's all you saw

[@macdaddy606]

Lets get a couple obvious things straight. The camerawork of the climb and build up are excellent. Kudos to jimmy and Chai (more jimmy than her in my personal opinion). BUT, alex as a character study, followed by his masterful achievement are light years more important to this movie’s success than anything the directorial team did. Thats just the obvious truth. There are 100 other directors/documentarians that could have won an Oscar with this material. There’s only one man who could not only make that climb but also be as interesting as Alex.

[@macdaddy606]

Jimmy’s work on that wall is more impressive than anything she did on the ground. The awful country song when the credits roll almost shits on the ending. That’s coming from a country music lover.

[@nathanchildress5596]

Wow, do we have to dunk on Chai as a director just because she’s relying on incredible people? The documentary obviously moved us more than a just clip of Alex climbing, so she deserves credit too, why isn’t there room for both?

[@joey_btw4718]

It's incredible! I've never heard Alex speak without saying something profound. I'm obsessed with his drive. Thank you!

[@1450JackCade]

The Brad Gobright question was in poor taste. The death of someone close to Alex is not fodder for this discussion. Adam Smith should've framed the question more generally. Alex was too polite to even entertain the question. During the film, Alex talked about deaths of famous climbers, and he noted then that people die in casual and unexpected situations, not "pushing the edge" generally. Alex, himself, was involved in several simple accidents like that in which he was hurt, and in which another famous climber was hurt. There are no old careless big wall climbers, and the oldest big wall climbers are the most thoroughly careful, essentially.

[@johnanderson8096]

Well said... he went for shock value... it stunned Alex... INAPPROPRIATE!!!! cheap shot...

[@mejulesyap]

Totally. I cringed at the way he dropped that question. Inappropriate and disrespectful.

[@nathanchildress5596]

I thought it was fine, and it seemed like Alex was fine. It was a large part of the film as well, so I think we can infer that Alex is a least willing to approach the subject

[@avarmauk]

I free solo my stairs sometimes

[@WishMount]

No legs baby

[@northernhemisphere4906]

other times you free fall them then,ain’t ya?

[@EricDodsonLectures]

I always hammer in pitons as I go.

[@RickSolid1]

If this is “ The Nobel Prize” channel maybe you should hire an interviewer who knows how to interview. I can see why you have only 180k subs.

[@happywednesday6741]

@13:40 bro Alex has wit and insights! That come back was so true 😌

[@empireofpeaches]

"You don't know what your limit is unless you fail"

[@markheller197]

empireofpeaches you learn through failure unless you free solo

[@pider5736]

But he's never failed though.

[@szldkfj]

Or unless you fall, then you really know

[@stevenlangeathx]

Great Video! Great Insights! Be well Alex & Friends 💯

[@scarywiggles1894]

One of the most impressive human beings of the 21st century.

[@jonathanknight8702]

The Brad question was extremely insensitive. It could have been more general about “friends or other climbers close to Alex” and get to the same question. And even then the interviewer should have been more aware of recent incidents in the climbing community before asking a climber about it in an interview. And the fact that Alex had to correct him that it wasn’t last month but last week makes it even worse. I’m not saying you shouldn’t ask a climber about death, but understand how to ask it.

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

Agreed, an unusually insensitive interviewer. I think if the question had been phrased in a non-specific way, referring to climbing tragedies in general, Alex might well have brought up a specific case. That should have been for Alex to decide. You can sense he is becoming jaded with interviews and interviewers, having to go over the same ground again and again . . .

[@Tarzven]

Quite shook as I heard the words he said. The intention behind the question certainly is legitimate: "how does death and death of close friends in climbing affect your approach to it?" didn't have to say a lot more or less than that, just a recognition of the emotional distress this might trigger and a sincere condolence. He really just discussed a friends death like a meaningless statistic.

[@JoBianco]

​@@Tarzven @james neilson graham While I agree he could have asked in general, I do think there is something important in bringing up a close friend, namely it shows that Alex flies too close to the sun and can't see the danger. Asking about climbers in general misses this point, because he can always say they aren't careful enough, but a close friend... makes the point. Insensitive yes, but free soloing is just about the most insensitive selfish thing you can do.

[@SophyaAgain]

Upset me very much every time one asks why does Alex do what he does ... People do lots of risky things without knowing the risk they are taking. Meanwhile Alex knows every bit of the wall he climbs - every nooks and crannies of the wall. And most of deaths and accidents occure due to inexperience that leads to bad judgment and mistakes. Many climbers had climbed and will climb the El Capitan. But I think THE THING is concentration, technique and precision. Anyway climbing is such a amazing sport.

[@danielbadt7374]

13:40 his answer 😂😂

[@patanjalilemonsquashimmortal]

This the comment I was looking for.

[@eatjjca]

i love the movie and i think i alex is helping push a better understanding of risk and climbing.the scene i love the best was when alex was walking to the wall in the morning of the climb.3 deer look at him and just stared it was almost like the were wishing him luck. not that needed any

[@EDUTAMARIU]

Damn this interviewer is way too serious, and at least could say sorry for your loss after Brad died so recently, you can see that question hurt Alex a bit. I also think that Brad was not doing everything he could for safety, he was entirely too comfortable on the wall, and you can see that on some videos, many accidents happen in the downclimb because climbers relax more and mistakes happen

[@nicholaspatton1742]

Absolutely wrong.The question was extremely pertinent and poignant, that had be asked ,so he did. It was a hard one; that is an interviewers job. He did his job and Mr Honnold handled as he would. As a Man.

[@Marauder1981]

"Brad was not doing everything he could for safety..." Aidan Jacobson killed him NOT Brad himself. Aidan Jacobson didn´t make a safety knot into the rope before the abseiling of Brad. It´s his duty to do that.

[@raghulkrishnan2266]

Fantastic

[@xterasss]

Been following Alex forever now, right from his 60 minutes episode through the years until now. Would love to hear him talk about his parents and early days with them. There really is not much at all he says about them. :(

[@heinrichbestbier5458]

Well his mom recently wrote and released a book dude. Alex also has his own book "Alone on the wall"

[@ecchstore2939]

Don't forget the the OST of the movie is extremly fitting harmony to the story and visuals..

[@antwortmir4451]

The woman has this intense eye movement, what is this condition called?

[@jmbs9833]

Alex always looks like he just got out of bed, where he slept with his clothes on... 😂 The man just doesn't give a flying f...

[@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

"Alex Honnold" 🤩 "and Chai Vasarhelyi" 😒

[@garrettswank6030]

This interviewer is awful. Bringing up Brad was an obvious jerk move.

[@szldkfj]

Not really. The audience wanted to know just as much as the interviewer

[@joelclaus288]

I don't agree. Death can be a part of climbing. Why is it wrong to ask about it?

[@nolan1187]

The opening comments of the interviewer wanted me to not watch anymore. Already calling Alex strange as if it's a bad thing. Made me frustrated. Didn't seem like he was really interested in them or the documentary, but more critical or judgmental, and asking questions as if to expose them. Like he wants them to second guess their lives. Then, bringing up Brad. Horrible interview.

[@patanjalilemonsquashimmortal]

What are you saying it was a pretty good interview.

[@M0gley1111]

He said it was so beautiful what he did like he was dancing up the mountain

[@light_reason3577]

♥️

[@csandroid]

I see it kind of irritates Alex when people constantly bring up, well what you do is dangerous. Me in the flip side give him credit to the amount of effort he puts in to overcome fears if you want to call it that most of us would deal with.

[@roofterrace4930]

"turns out being stung into the eye by hornets, not such a big deal" LMAO

[@anderslangoks3813]

I eat with a spatula now.

[@nichiyobi_dome]

just asking someone about death for the answer alone is a horrible thing to do. But Interviews in generell are just bad if you think about it... because the "conversation" never feels real.

[@almaguapa-sailboatliveaboa440]

Why do this given the risks??? There is risk in EVRYTHING we do. There's a risk crossing the street with coming traffic. I make it across because I've practiced and know how to handle most situations.

[@SKubric]

I still super worry about one day the rock is not steady and a rope or buckle failure, that can be out of Alex`s control even he checked again and again.

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

Yes, there are always unknowns. So far Alex has got away with it, but I want to see him live to a ripe old age and tell stories to his grandchildren. There were intimations in this interview that free-soloing may not have quite the allure for him that it once did . . .

[@Marauder1981]

Are worried about me as well? I climb, my rope can rip, my wall can crumble.

[@paulmitchell5349]

If you are risk averse you will never understand Alex. If ,like me, a bit of risk makes life worth living, you cheer him on.

[@driver9337]

Free soloing goes far, far beyond "a bit of risk". And risk considered alone is meaningless. It's all about risk balanced against the reward associated with that risk.

[@jazaniac]

difference between being risk averse and not valuing your own life.

[@agharmasri1065]

9:00 “He’s never gonna climb the mountain if she breaks up with him” What is this nonsense?

[@ray1ashwin]

Cos having a romantic relationship is not good when you are trying to achieve something like that.the whole crew was obviously worried.watch the whole documentary n u will understand what she means.

[@agharmasri1065]

@@ray1ashwin Listen to him at 9:00 interrupting her saying “I’ll definitely climb the mountain” after she said that sentence. I watched the documentary 2 times. Yes it was not easy for the crew and for his girlfriend. But that doesn’t make the director right about what she claimed.

[@jjangli4]

This is a comment from her that you've taken completely out of context (and misquoted). The actual quote is: "What happens if she breaks up with him? He's never going to climb this mountain or maybe he will climb this mountain. Total uncertainty. But that's part of the work and you have to trust yourself to deal-- to treat it with respect and treat Alex's life with respect in the moment." The broader context of her discussion in this part of the interview is that the introduction of Sanni into Alex's life at this point in time was unexpected and is a significant relationship that could drastically affect how things turn out. She was not claiming that it definitely would affect him, she's just saying it's an element of uncertainty; her continuation of the statement in which she said "or maybe he will climb this mountain" evidences that. It is completely reasonable to believe that a relationship could affect Alex's mindset, as it would for most people. And she's not the only one who thought so--Tommy Caldwell referenced this likelihood as well in the documentary.

[@apaarsadhwani]

To be honest, I find Chai a little too dramatic.. for example, see Alex's smirk at 8:11 or her reaction at 11:53

[@arispecchia4782]

She seems to be extremely narcissistic

[@23v0lv32]

She’s awful. Her Oscar acceptance speech was a disgrace

[@EricDodsonLectures]

What? Someone who's in the business of making films is dramatic? No way!

[@skakus5566]

Does that guy ever blink his eyes?

[@matt.rraw.]

lol

[@Biomirth]

You know thunder? That's caused by his blinks.

[@peter_castle]

@@Biomirth cool comment!

[@starseed807]

He is on on another dimension.... just like David goggins..... they barely blink.

[@birdiemax2693]

I think that 'nonblinkability' is a cerebral indicator of extreme focus, lucidity or clarity. It reflects the constant function of insight at work. I think that's what makes him authentic, also strictly honest, never beating around the bush, getting straight to the gut of things. It also makes one severely practical. I really think he has to learn emotionality (including fear), but that becomes his performance self, not his genuine disposition. There was a movie, that explained the absence of fear, being a higher level of human evolution. He's clearly there.

[@Arfabiscuit]

The only thing human being's have no control over is how long they live . The interviewer doesn't seem to understand this fact . You can drop dead any second a friend of mine did 7 days ago .

[@driver9337]

Wrong. You have no guarantees about how long you live, but you certainly have a large degree of control over how long you live. A healthy lifestyle (ex. diet, exercise, fitness, sleep) and avoiding high risk activities (ex. drug use, base jumping, free solo climbing) definitely contribute to longevity.

[@maplenerd22]

@@driver9337 - Wrong. Doing everything you say does not control how long you live. It increases your chances, but it doesn't give you "control" in any shape or form. You can still die the next day from an accident.

[@Andrew-vt2wq]

Han SOLO!

[@GregorysMode]

I find it sad that Alex gets asked this boring question so often. It just so alien to people, yet the answer is so obvious. Very lazy interviewer.

[@paul1x1]

Listen up if you are a dad do not bring your daughter to this movie mine is now 2 years into her climbing at the gym next week we go to banff and she climbs outside my heart cannot take this the problem is she loves it with all her heart I'm screwed

[@liftingisfun2350]

She doesn't belong to you, you only helped to create her. You'd do her more harm hurting her dreams and saving your own feelings than you would by letting her live her dreams. Don't be selfish.

[@josephearl2919]

You are insane

[@donnakois2101]

11:45 Does anyone else think Chai was very rude in the way that she answered this question? She basically called Alex uncharismatic and unattractive in one sentence. I guess that she was trying to be funny or whatever but it just came across as insensitive.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

Maybe it's you who had the weird response.

[@sdtok527]

@@stevenmeyer9674 Watch her Oscar acceptance speech. She is very narcissistic.

[@bena3341]

Anyone else find Chai incredibly annoying and think she ruined the documentary a bit by trying to Hollywood it up too much. Needs more climbing that is enough drama without adding extra crap in.

[@jonathanknight8702]

Ben A there’s a reason Hollywood exists in its current state...”Hollywood crap” gets butts in seats to watch the movie. Period. Hollywood as a concept is an industry that understands human emotion and what we value in watching for our entertainment. The fact is people are drawn to human stories that involve other humans and the complexity that brings. Sanni brought a new element to the film but also Alex’s personality and the climb. It was no longer just Alex and the wall but a trifecta of things we were balancing as viewers (Sanni, wall, Alex). As a climber, while I also found the movie to focus a bit too much on the relationship with Sanni, you have to realize that she opens up a significant demographic that wouldn’t have otherwise watched “a climbing movie.” That’s not necessarily to say that it’s 100% financial driven but also simple human preferences on what is worth watching. Even as a climber, watching a guy climb up a wall on a screen for an hour and a half long movie isn’t that entertaining. Plot #1: A guy climbs a big wall and sets a world first. OR Plot #2: a guy climbs a big wall and sets a world first while also trying to balance a new relationship with an attractive partner. I’ll take #2 and so would more people.

[@Marauder1981]

Yes! AMEN! I wish Jimmy Chin would´ve done the job like in the old days, without the boyfriend/girlsfriend drama. It was so boring and unnecessary. The fucking fridge buying. Really?

[@themandalorian7352]

@@jonathanknight8702 agreed with you. Idk why so many people complain about the gf. Although the climbing part of the movie is like too short. It was like 1/10 of the movie length...

[@brunolara2293]

she did pretty much nothing compared to Alex and the crew and she still feels like it is all about her, she could have been replaced for anyone and would have been the same, the other parts were irreplaceable. period.

[@MsLouisez]

I disagree. The van, the GF, the fridge are all parts of Alex's story. (yes, the fridge story has a meaning) If people think it's a movie about climbing a rock, that is incorrect. It's totally about the human element - pushing it to the limit, fear, goals, dreams, mortality, confronting and controlling his emotions. The rock is a prop to the human assending it.