"Hasta la cumbre": a film produced by a school comes to theaters

The Alpamayo School in Lima premieres on September 27 on the big screen with "Hasta la Cumbre", its first feature film, which is not only a film made by students and teachers, but also a pioneering educational project in Latin America. Directed by Emilio Campoverde -a former student of the school and trained in cinematography in Orlando-, the film marks the beginning of a permanent school film studio with state-of-the-art technology and Christian values in its narrative.

Campoverde recalls that "it all started when director Renzo Forlín called me as soon as I finished my degree in Orlando to tell me about the idea of making films in Peru. I had graduated from Alpamayo in 2020 and, because of my love for the school, I accepted without thinking much about it".

With cameras, lenses and professional equipment brought from the U.S., he set up a small after-school workshop in the afternoons. "At the beginning we were a handful of kids and I taught them the basics: writing stories, using cameras and microphones, editing... while at the same time I wrote the script for the school's first film," he explains. From that workshop the "Alpamayo School Film Studio" was born.

Cinema as training in virtues

The film tells how two students set out to climb the snow-capped Alpamayo and face physical and mental challenges. "The mountain is a metaphor for personal challenges. Everyone has their own summit to conquer," says Campoverde. The story reflects deeply Christian values such as fraternity, forgiveness and self-improvement. "More than evangelizing in a direct way, the film inspires by example and narrative, showing how faith is lived in everyday life," he explains.

To recreate the journey, they opted for cutting-edge technical solutions: "We used Virtual Production, a technology that allows us to record almost anywhere without leaving the school studio," he says. "Alpamayo School is possibly the only one in Latin America that teaches and produces with Virtual Production. It is a pioneer and, therefore, a milestone," says Campoverde. For him, this tool opens up creative horizons for students, allowing them to tell any story they can imagine.

Beyond the technical aspects, Campoverde stresses that "filmmaking is a phenomenal way to build character: you have to be orderly, punctual, handle frustrations. During the shoot they created a human and supportive environment. "We set out to make it a team experience. We filmed under demanding conditions and that forced us to support each other, practice active listening and patience," he says.

A project that unites the entire community

One of the main objectives was to "unite the entire Alpamayo community," says Campoverde. Actors from the theater workshop, music composed by a former student, models from the art workshop, production by the film workshop... "Even the youngest had an active participation, either as an actor or behind the scenes," he adds.

The production also had an important social factor: collaboration with the NGOs Proyecta Perú and Operación Mato Grosso in Yungay. This made it possible to shoot scenes in facilities where the students lived with young people with intellectual disabilities. "That experience will stay with them as something formative," says the director.

The teaching they hope to leave behind is clear: "Although life is full of obstacles, it is always possible to get ahead if you have the courage to face your fears and the heart to help others. If he had to sum up the core value in one word, Campoverde does not hesitate: "Perseverance".

For Emilio, the premiere of "Hasta la Cumbre" opens the door to new projects: "We have discovered the power of film as an educational and formative tool. We want to continue exploring stories that convey positive and relevant messages. "Hasta la Cumbre" is just the first step", he concludes.