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ABOUT THE FILM

Fly

R

What if the very thing that fuels you could also be your downfall? Humans have long dreamed of the freedom of flight. In the heart-stopping documentary FLY, from National Geographic Documentary Films, directors Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau (“Shaun White: The Last Run,” “Immigration Nation,” the Emmy® Award-winning “Trophy”) immerse viewers in the exhilarating yet perilous world of BASE jumping. At the heart of the film are three couples: Jimmy and Marta, pioneering figures affectionately known as the “Mom and Pop” of BASE jumping; the fearless wingsuit pilot Scotty and his newfound love, Julia; and the resilient duo Amber and Espen, whose bond is tested by triumph and tragedy. Through breathtaking aerial footage, vérité scenes and intimate interviews, the film explores the complex balance between passion and sacrifice. A poignant love story that celebrates the spirit of those who dare to defy gravity, capturing the essence of what it truly means to live on the edge.

Rated: R

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Meet the Filmmakers

  • CHRISTINA CLUSIAU

    DIRECTOR

    Christina Clusiau is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, director and cinematographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She co-founded the production company Reel Peak Films with Shaul Schwarz, specializing in documentary films and series that prioritize cinematic quality and journalistic integrity. Clusiau co-directed the Emmy-winning documentary “Trophy,” which premiered at Sundance in 2017. She also shot the Emmy-winning series “A Year in Space,” in partnership with Time’s Red Border Films, and the feature documentary “Aida’s Secrets.” In 2019, Clusiau was an executive producer and cinematographer on the Netflix documentary series “Unnatural Selection.” Christina was the co-director, producer and executive producer of the Netflix Original docuseries “Immigration Nation,” which premiered in 2020. In 2021, the series was nominated for a Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series and was a finalist for the Dupont Columbia Award for Excellence in Broadcast, Documentary and Online Journalism. The series received the 2020 Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award, 2021 Peabody Award and 2021 Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Series. Most recently, Clusiau co-directed and co-produced the documentary series “Shaun White: The Last Run.”

  • SHAUL SCHWARZ

    DIRECTOR

    Shaul Schwarz is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, cinematographer and photojournalist based in Brooklyn, New York. His debut documentary, “Narco Cultura,” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013. In 2016, he directed the Emmy-winning series “A Year in Space,” produced with Time’s Red Border Films; co-directed the documentary “Aida’s Secrets,” which premiered at Hot Docs in 2016; and co-directed the Emmy-winning documentary “Trophy,” which premiered at Sundance in 2017. Schwarz is the co-founder of Reel Peak Films with Christina Clusiau. He was an executive producer and cinematographer on the Netflix documentary series “Unnatural Selection.” He was the co-director, producer and executive producer of the Netflix Original docuseries “Immigration Nation,” which premiered in 2020. In 2021, the series was nominated for a Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series, a finalist for the Dupont Columbia Award for Excellence in Broadcast, Documentary and Online Journalism and received the 2020 Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award, 2021 Peabody Award and 2021 Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Series. Most recently, Schwarz co-directed and co-produced the documentary series “Shaun White: The Last Run.”

Meet the Participants

  • ESPEN FADNES

    PARTICIPANT

    Espen Fadnes is a wingsuit BASE jump pioneer who had his first flight from a mountain in 2001. In 2004, he was a main character in the groundbreaking terrain flying movie “Superterminal.” In 2007, he was Emmy-nominated for outstanding camerawork in a wingsuit for the Matchstick Production film “Seven Sunny Days.” Starting in 2010, Espen focused more on competitions and won the Pro Base World Tour. In more recent history, he is known for the Netflix documentary “Wingmen,” his FIA World Cup victory in 2015, becoming an FAI World Champion in wingsuit in 2018, and being a professional and outspoken figure in the wingsuit community. Today, Espen is based in Norway, married to fellow wingsuiter Amber Forte, and makes a living as a full-time wingsuit athlete. The dream is still the same as in 2001: to pursue the dream of flight.

  • AMBER FORTE

    PARTICIPANT

    Amber Forte is a professional wingsuit athlete from Devon, U.K. She is currently ranked as the No. 1 female wingsuiter in the world and holds the world record for the fastest female in a wingsuit. In 2018, Forte became the first female in history to place in the top 10 at an international FIA performance wingsuit competition. She later earned a silver medal in acrobatic wingsuiting at the 2021 World Championships. In 2019, Forte suffered a traumatic high-speed injury, breaking both her back and thigh bone. She spent one year in rehabilitation, fighting her way back to professionalism within her sport. Today, Forte aims to inspire and support people dealing with traumatic experiences and hopes to share strength and self-belief by telling her story.

  • SCOTTY BOB MORGAN

    PARTICIPANT

    After completing two deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Scotty Bob Morgan sought a new outlet to satisfy his craving for adventure and exploration. He initiated his BASE jumping career in 2008. Since then, he has dedicated himself to honing his skills through continuous jumps and immersing himself in every aspect of the sport. While he is drawn to the thrill of big wingsuit jumps, BASE remains the core of his passion. Each object presents both an adventure and a chance to prepare for even greater missions ahead. However, what truly captivates him about BASE is the community. This sport affords incredible opportunities to travel the world and connect with remarkable individuals. Morgan has embraced the role of a BASE jumping and wingsuit instructor, driven by his desire to share his expertise effectively. He views it as his duty as an experienced jumper to pass on his lessons, both easy and challenging, alongside his wife, Julia Botelho Morgan. Together, their goal is to mentor the next generation of jumpers, helping them navigate their journey with fewer obstacles than they encountered.

  • JULIA BOTELHO MORGAN

    PARTICIPANT

    Julia Botelho Morgan’s journey in the sky began in 2012 when she traded her career as a lawyer to pursue her passion for flying. She joined the Brazilian Army’s four-way skydiving team but found her true calling in BASE jumping. Determined to explore new exit points combining climbing and jumping, she moved to the mountains. Since 2017, Botelho Morgan has been sharing her expertise by teaching BASE jumping and mentoring numerous students over the past years.

    Her BASE jumping adventures have taken her to 25 countries, where she continuously refines her skills in wingsuiting and low jumps. Currently residing in the USA, Julia also serves as an AFF instructor, empowering others to soar to new heights.

PHOTO GALLERY

  • Espen Fadnes and Amber Forte wingsuit off a cliff in Chamonix, France.(Photo credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Espen Fadnes and Amber Forte wingsuit off a cliff in Chamonix, France.(Photo credit: Reel Peak Films)

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    Espen Fadnes and Amber Forte wingsuit off a cliff in Chamonix, France.(Photo credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Espen Fadnes and Amber Forte wingsuit off a cliff in Chamonix, France.(Photo credit: Reel Peak Films)

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  • Scotty Bob Morgan and Espen Fadnes at the top of a mountain in Chamonix, France. (Photo credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Scotty Bob Morgan and Espen Fadnes at the top of a mountain in Chamonix, France. (Photo credit: Reel Peak Films)

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    Scotty Bob Morgan and Espen Fadnes at the top of a mountain in Chamonix, France. (Photo credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Scotty Bob Morgan and Espen Fadnes at the top of a mountain in Chamonix, France. (Photo credit: Reel Peak Films)

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  • Amber Forte and Espen Fadnes at the top of a mountain in Chamonix, France. (Photo credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Amber Forte and Espen Fadnes at the top of a mountain in Chamonix, France. (Photo credit: Reel Peak Films)

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    Amber Forte and Espen Fadnes at the top of a mountain in Chamonix, France. (Photo credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Amber Forte and Espen Fadnes at the top of a mountain in Chamonix, France. (Photo credit: Reel Peak Films)

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  • Espen Fadnes wingsuiting. (Credit: Espen Fadnes and Amber Forte)

    Espen Fadnes wingsuiting. (Credit: Espen Fadnes and Amber Forte)

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    Espen Fadnes wingsuiting. (Credit: Espen Fadnes and Amber Forte)

    Espen Fadnes wingsuiting. (Credit: Espen Fadnes and Amber Forte)

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  • Scotty Bob Morgan and Espen Fadnes before making a wingsuit BASE jump in Chamonix, France. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Scotty Bob Morgan and Espen Fadnes before making a wingsuit BASE jump in Chamonix, France. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

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    Scotty Bob Morgan and Espen Fadnes before making a wingsuit BASE jump in Chamonix, France. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Scotty Bob Morgan and Espen Fadnes before making a wingsuit BASE jump in Chamonix, France. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

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  • Espen Fadnes and Amber Forte before making a wingsuit BASE jump in Chamonix, France. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Espen Fadnes and Amber Forte before making a wingsuit BASE jump in Chamonix, France. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

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    Espen Fadnes and Amber Forte before making a wingsuit BASE jump in Chamonix, France. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Espen Fadnes and Amber Forte before making a wingsuit BASE jump in Chamonix, France. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

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  • Espen Fadnes and Julia Botelho fly their wingsuits in Chamonix, France. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Espen Fadnes and Julia Botelho fly their wingsuits in Chamonix, France. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

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    Espen Fadnes and Julia Botelho fly their wingsuits in Chamonix, France. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Espen Fadnes and Julia Botelho fly their wingsuits in Chamonix, France. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

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  • Espen Fadnes wingsuits by Amber Forte in Norway. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Espen Fadnes wingsuits by Amber Forte in Norway. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

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    Espen Fadnes wingsuits by Amber Forte in Norway. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Espen Fadnes wingsuits by Amber Forte in Norway. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

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  • Amber Forte and Espen Fadnes train for an acro wingsuiting competition in Alvor, Portugal. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Amber Forte and Espen Fadnes train for an acro wingsuiting competition in Alvor, Portugal. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

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    Amber Forte and Espen Fadnes train for an acro wingsuiting competition in Alvor, Portugal. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

    Amber Forte and Espen Fadnes train for an acro wingsuiting competition in Alvor, Portugal. (Credit: Reel Peak Films)

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    • CREDITS

    Directed By Christina Clusiau, Shaul Schwarz

    Produced by Christina Clusiau, Shaul Schwarz

    Directors of Photography Christina Clusiau, Shaul Schwarz

    Edited by James Martin Morrision, Andrey Alistratov, Jay Arthur Sterrenberg

    Music By Alex Weston

    Executive Producers Carolyn Bernstein, Dan Cogan, Jenny Raskin, Geralyn White Dreyfous, Ian Darling, Steve Cohen, Paula Froehle, Ken Nolan, Christina Nolan, Lilly Hartley