For first-time feature director Elena Neuman, Looking UP is more than just a film. It’s a message, a testament to resilience, and a challenge to anyone who has ever felt held back by circumstance. The film tells the powerful true story of Eitan Armon, a young man diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa while serving in the military who decides to climb El Capitan after losing 95 percent of his vision. What unfolds is an emotional and deeply inspiring portrait of perseverance and positivity in the face of life-altering adversity.
Neuman first met Eitan at a film screening, unaware of his condition. His walking stick was folded in his hand, invisible to most, but what stood out to her was his sharp intellect and playful sense of humor. When Eitan later reached out to make a short video about his experience in a clinical trial, the story quickly grew beyond its original scope. What started as a modest idea evolved into a feature-length film that now makes its Iowa debut at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.
“Eitan inspired the film,” Neuman says. “Everyone who meets him feels that spark. He never expresses anger or sorrow. He’s always focused on what’s next.” That spirit of momentum is woven throughout Looking UP, making the film resonate on a universal level. It’s not just about a man climbing a granite wall. It’s about confronting the parts of life we cannot control and choosing to move forward anyway.
The film stands apart from its quiet optimism and grounded storytelling. While it contains breathtaking visuals of El Capitan and technical climbing challenges, the emotional impact leaves a lasting impression. “You don’t have to be a climber to connect with this story,” Neuman explains. “Everyone has something they feel is holding them back. This is about finding your way through.”
Filming presented unique obstacles. Neuman had to trust her team completely because the crew was split between the ground and the wall. “I couldn’t speak to the climbers or the cinematographers during their ascent,” she recalls. “I just had to trust that everything we had planned was being followed, even when I couldn’t see every detail.” Despite the limitations, the final footage is stunning, thanks to cinematographers Dani Tenenbaum and Damian Benegas, who climbed alongside Eitan with a camera.
Editor Dennis Clark played a crucial role in shaping the narrative, transforming the film’s structure into a dual timeline that wove the Yosemite climb with Eitan’s backstory. Composer Michael Bryan Stein added emotional weight, creating an original score and an original song that mirrored the tone and message of the film. “I learned so much from all of them,” Neuman says. “They brought their full hearts to the project.”
Looking UP also has strong ties to Iowa. Key scenes were filmed at the Institute for Vision Research at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Two renowned doctors, Edwin Stone, MD, and Budd Tucker, PhD, appear in the film to explain the science behind Retinitis Pigmentosa and the ongoing research that may one day offer hope for those with vision loss. “The work they’re doing is remarkable,” Neuman says. “It was important to include that piece of the story.”
Neuman is thrilled to screen the film in Dubuque, which is so close to Iowa City that many real-life doctors and researchers can experience the film firsthand. She also shares her excitement about showcasing her debut feature at the Grand Opera House. “It’s truly a dream venue for an independent filmmaker,” she says. “And JDIFF is such an inspiring festival. I’m honored to be among such talented creatives.”
When asked what she hopes audiences will take away from the film, Neuman doesn’t hesitate. “I hope they leave the theater thinking, ‘If Eitan can climb El Capitan without sight, then I can take on whatever mountain I’m facing.’ We all have challenges. Even when we don’t feel ready, facing them leads to growth. This film was about my mountain. And Eitan inspired me to climb it.”
Follow the journey at @looking_up_film and learn more at www.LookingUpMovie.com.
