man on wire · N^o7961

Man on Wire is the 2008 critically acclaimed documentary chronicling high-wire walker Philippe Petit’s 1974 endeavor to cross the Twin Towers. Based on Petit’s book To Reach the Clouds, Man on Wire is part documentary, part Ocean’s Eleven, set up much like a heist film. It’s a beautiful testament to its even more fiery, exceptional star that knew the moment he saw the plans for the Towers that he would someday cross it. Growing up in the heart of Paris, Philippe worked his way up to the 110-story Towers, first crossing the towers of the Notre Dame in 1971, then the Sydney Harbor Bridge towers in 1973. In face of the danger he simply said, “What a beautiful way to die. To die in the exercise of your passion.”