Although director Renny Harlin knows mountains (Cliffhanger) and he can craft worthwhile suspense (12 Rounds), Devil's Pass -- aka The Dyatlov Pass Incident -- assembles the entire package via found footage.

Memories of The Blair Witch Project and Into the Storm arise negatively when considering the nature of such personal storytelling. However, cinematographer Denis Alarcon-Ramirez takes the rare step of allowing the characters, specifically Holly King (Holly Goss), to put the camera down. Thus, the drama unfolds with the uncompromising grasp and precision of real time.

In 1959, nine members of a skiing expedition died. Fifty years later, five filmmakers decide to retrace those fateful steps. They want answers. Could the events surrounding the Dyatlov Pass Incident have anything to do with a government cover-up or something even more bizarre?

Devil's Pass unfolds subjectively. We stay with the characters, while the camera acts like a visual diary. Some of the questions brought up include: What does fate have in store for us? Does time play more of a factor in our lives than a simple progression of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years?

Overall, I would urge people to watch this film, argue the main points with friends and compare each interpretation. Actually, a second climb might be advisable. (Capsule review)

(Released by Aldamisa Releasing and rated "R" for some violence/disturbing images, and for a sexual reference.)