Set in the Swiss Alps, high above the valley floor and amongst the clouds, a group of friends embark on a week-long alpine highline adventure that pushes their limits and strengthens their bonds with one another.
At a staggering altitude between two peaks, on only a thin strip of material and nothing below them but air, they attempt to walk where usually only eagles soar.
The film immerses us in the journey - the people, the diverse expertise needed, the shifting weather, the fears and breakthroughs - ultimately transforming this raw landscape into an alpine playground.
Bringing us into the process and culture of the sport of highlining, we experience a story of small battles and tiny victories, where each step, small progression, or failed attempt is acknowledged, supported, and celebrated. It is an incremental journey of emotional growth; one of perseverance, of letting go, of kindness, and of community.
The Smell of Clouds explores what it really feels like to be out there pushing one’s boundaries. Not just the challenge, but also the connection to others, and the mountains themselves.
Director Biography - Marcial Somer, Cem Aytacli
Since 2016, Marcial Sommer has been drawn to the craft of storytelling through photography and filmmaking. He fell in love with the process—the privilege of freezing time, capturing unique and inspiring stories for others to experience. His passion for storytelling has led him to specialize in documentaries, where he strives to bring meaningful narratives to life. Over the years, Marcial has had the privilege of embarking on various projects that have taken him across the globe, allowing him to refine his craft and connect with diverse perspectives.
Away from the camera, Marcial finds joy and inspiration in outdoor sports, particularly climbing, highlining, and most recently, paragliding. There’s an undeniable beauty in scaling vertical cliffs, walking a thin line suspended hundreds of meters above the ground, or soaring through the skies. These experiences invigorate his spirit and deeply inform his artistic vision, offering him fresh perspectives and a sense of awe that he carries into his storytelling.
Director Statement
The Smell of Clouds is a film born from my love for the mountains and the transformative experiences they offer. I wanted to capture not just the physical challenge but the emotional journey of pushing limits and embracing challenges.
A few months before this film was shot, I started highlining myself and started to fall in love with the sport and the people. I was invited by my friends to join them on this alpine adventure, and while a movie was not planned, I soon realized that this trip was too special not to document.
I told an English filmmaker friend of mine, Cem Aytacli, about the project in passing, and he told me that he was in pretty much right away.
We faced a fair amount of challenges during this shoot - given that we were at 3000 meters altitude and a seven hour hike away from civilization. We faced limited power to charge all our devices, a drone that nearly destroyed itself multiple times as it attempted to auto-land in the fog due to malfunctioning sensors, and a general lack of sleep, among other challenges.
Despite the challenges, we had an amazing visually-stunning alpine landscape with awesome people doing incredible things.
Filming in such an environment was demanding, but it mirrored the essence of highlining—adapting, persisting, and embracing the unknown. Ultimately, The Smell of Clouds is a celebration of movement, nature, and community - of why we seek these experiences, not just for the thrill, but for the profound connections they bring.
