At the heart of this lovely tale of deep powder mystery: the seasons. In Japan there is a cultural connection to the different Signatures of our terrestrial home-- a sense that the rhythm of fall, winter, spring, summer influences the rhythm of the person, their energy, their style, and the lines they choose. Niseko local photographer Yoichi Watanabe explains, "As a photographer, the change in season brings a change of subject. I have to be ahead of this change in nature, like I have to be thinking about flowers before they actually bloom in order to capture what really goes on. I can say the same about the snow as well."
Blanketed with 700 inches of snow at an altitude of 300 ft., the mountains of Hokkaido drop right into the ocean. "There is no difference between a turn on water and a turn on snow," as Taro Tamai says, and the local connection to the salty drink is reflected in this piece in praise of audio.
Signatures February Teaser:
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Continuing the idea of the "element audio," the February Teaser blends wind with more backcountry skiing and riding from deep winter on the island of Hokkaido.
Riders: Taro Tamai, Lorenzo Worster, Nick Devore, Will Cardamone, Jacqui Edgerly, Matt Philippi, Jamie Laidlaw, Jess McMillan, Yutaka Takanashi, Charlie Cannon, Eben Mond, MC Larivee, JT Robinson, Adam Moszynski, Caroline Gleich, Forrest Coots, Jake Sakson, Orry Grant, Mike Coletti, Ommu, Sheesa, Nobu, Kenichi Miyashita, Hayato “Bubbles” Maruyama, and Atsushi Gomyo.
Locations: Niseko, Yotei, Kiroro, Asahidake, Tokachidake, and Furano backcountry
Signatures premieres Sept. 19th, 2009 at IF3 in Montreal and in Aspen, CO. Catch the film on tour in US, Canada, and Japan in fall 2009. Order your DVD here.