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Begin breaking new ground in film for Rossignol

Extreme sport filmmaker, Christian Begin, is broadening his horizons and attacking a new market – the corporate market that is.

Extreme sport filmmaker, Christian Begin, is broadening his horizons and attacking a new market – the corporate market that is.

Rossignol has roped in the talents of the French-Canadian Whistlerite who is already recognized world wide for such films as the Kranked trilogy.

Begin was given carte blanche and sole creative power over designing a new direction for Rossignol’s ski product image.

"This is the first time I’ve had total artistic freedom without any restrictions. It was fun!" exclaims Begin. "With the Kranked films of course I had control, but this is different. It’s the first time a company has come to me and said ‘We want a new look and we want you to do it and we trust you that it’s going to rip.’"

And rip it does. Begin didn’t want to give away too much about the project before its September debut, but a sneak peek of the five minute piece reveals strong imagery symbolizing the launch of new technology, taking it where no ski has gone before. Special effects and animation by Sean Horne of Squamish interspersed with old TV and film clips, claymation and current extreme ski footage are set to pumping beats, leaving the watcher with the desire to go higher, faster and bigger.

This also marks a turning point in Begin’s career, one that he hopes is taking him higher, faster and bigger. Begin split from Radical Films and partner Bjorn Enga after the completion of Kranked 3.

"I was starting to feel like people were wanting to see the same thing. After Kranked 3, I pushed my limit but I couldn’t see myself doing another mountain bike film at that moment because I thought I might repeat myself somehow," Begin explains.

The 39-year-old’s innovation and fresh approach to directing is what has garnered the attention of the media and of up-and-coming talents. On a random Internet search, the homepage of a Toronto film student lists Begin’s name next to that of John Woo on a list of directorial influences.

"Really? Wow!" laughs Begin. "I’ve always loved talking to people about my work and to young filmmakers I always say don’t follow the trends of the industry. I hope this project will show that you can do anything you want."