January 2025 on iwonder – highlights include Fly Rocket Fly, Swim, Drop Zone Everest, Immersion, Blenio Utah, Future of Fitness, Living the High Life
Fly Rocket Fly
The First Private Space Race. Spies. Africa. Rockets
In the 1970s, Lutz Kayser, a German scientist, founded the world’s first private rocket company, OTRAG. But instead of launching from a high-tech lab, he set up shop in the remote jungles of Zaire. Why? To escape red tape and Cold War politics. His team’s efforts drew the attention of spy agencies around the world and challenged the idea that space exploration belonged to superpowers.
Why Watch It: // Discover the untold story of private space travel much before SpaceX // A thrilling mix of jungle rockets, Cold War intrigue, and raw ambition // Acclaimed at Seattle International Film Festival, Docville, Krakow and others.
Launches 5 January
Swim
The Ultimate Open-Water Test
More people have summited Everest than swum the English Channel. This 34-kilometer journey is one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges, requiring incredible strength and mental resilience. With a score by Damon Albarn, Swim profiles the diverse community of athletes—some unlikely—who risk it all to cross these treacherous waters.
“…like the 40 Minutes docs of old (remember those?), the slightly offbeat feel somehow adding up to a deeper understanding of a very British subculture.” ★★★★ The Times
Why Watch It: // Inspiring personal stories of endurance and determination // Stunning cinematography and a powerful, moving soundtrack.
Launches 26 January
Drop Zone Everest
Mount Everest skydiving. Adrenaline. ex-Special Forces
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dan Myrick (The Blair Witch Project). Why skydive into Everest’s perilous drop zones? For a team of U.S. Special Ops veterans, it’s about more than adrenaline—it’s a tribute to the comrades they lost in battle. Braving sub-zero temperatures, dangerous winds, and thin air, they test their physical and mental limits to honour their fallen brothers and sisters. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the majestic Himalayan mountains.
Why Watch It: // A heart-stopping adventure in one of Earth’s harshest environments // Stunning visuals of the world’s tallest mountain
Launches 9 January
Breaking Boundaries
From Utah’s salt flats to the English Channel, this January’s Top Five celebrates those who dare to defy limits. Watch a Swiss racer chase speed records, hold your breath as Sylvan Christensen walks between cliffs, and glimpse tomorrow’s fitness revolution with Sebastien Lagree. Then journey from NASA’s bold return to the Moon to the brave swimmers tackling nature’s ultimate endurance test – a feat rarer than summiting Everest.
Immersion
One Breath, No Fear. 82 meters deep in the sea.
Free diver Igor Liberti isn’t just diving—he’s challenging the limits of human endurance. From serene Swiss lakes to the Caribbean’s deepest blue hole, he explores underwater worlds on a single breath, diving to a jaw-dropping 82 meters. For Igor, a Swiss Free Diving Champion, it’s not just a sport—it’s a meditative escape into the unknown.
Why Watch It: // Mesmerising underwater cinematography via the sport of free diving // A personal look at what it takes to master both mind and body.
Blenio, Utah
Motorbikes on Salt. A Swiss Underdog. Racing.
At the Bonneville Salt Flats, USA, home to the world’s fastest racers, Tiziano Vescovi—a butcher from a tiny Swiss village—sets out to break a speed record. Riding a custom-built motorcycle crafted in his hometown, he faces a century-old tradition and competitors with far more resources. It’s a story of small-town ambition on a global stage.
Why Watch It: // A heartfelt underdog story in the world of speed racing // A story of grit, ingenuity, and community.
Future of Fitness
The Tech Takeover. Gym of the future. AI Coaches
Sebastien Lagree, creator of the revolutionary Megaformer, asks the big question: why is a society obsessed with fitness still so unhealthy? From AI-driven coaching to cutting-edge machines, this film dives into the tech revolution transforming how we train—and what it means for the future of health.
Why Watch It: // Insights from one of the most influential minds in modern fitness // A vision of what the gym might look like in the years ahead
Living the High Life
Walking the Line. Without a net.
Sylvan Christensen has one focus: not falling. Suspended high above Utah’s cliffs, he walks tightropes with no nets, no room for error. High-lining didn’t just push his limits—it gave him balance in a life that was spiralling out of control. This isn’t just a sport; it’s a lifeline.
Why Watch It: // Gravity-defying stunts in breathtaking US landscapes // The ultimate test of physical and mental control.
Back To The Moon
The Next Chapter in Lunar Exploration.
After the Apollo program’s final mission, the U.S. paused its lunar ambitions—but not for good. This documentary reveals NASA’s decades-long struggle to return to the Moon, from the Cold War politics that ended Apollo to the groundbreaking innovations that now fuel the Artemis program. Back to the Moon takes you behind the scenes of humanity’s renewed quest to explore—and stay—on the Moon.
Why Watch It: // Discover how Cold War rivalries and shifting priorities shaped NASA’s lunar journey // Explore the cutting-edge science and legacy technologies powering Artemis // A look at how humanity plans to make the Moon a long-term home base for deeper space exploration.
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January 2025 on iwonder
