Skywalkers: A Love Story (2024) Movie Script
[wind blowing]
[faint clamor]
[crowd cheers]
[Guy Mowbray] Three-three.
This will surely lay claim
to be the greatest World Cup final
that's ever been seen.
Lionel Messi with one more
magical, magnificent twist in the tale.
He might have just won the World Cup.
[ominous, brooding music plays]
[woman] We are high above
the World Cup madness,
climbing the last super skyscraper
on the planet.
Security is too busy watching
the match to see us sneak by.
So all is going according to plan...
until floor 113.
[distant clanging]
[in Russian] You hear that?
[distant clattering]
Listen.
[elevator whirs]
- Elevators are moving.
- [man] Yeah.
They're sending security.
We're definitely spotted.
Shit.
[whispers] Go, go, go.
[woman] I hear them coming.
[man] In here.
Construction workers everywhere.
Fuck, didn't plan on this.
[construction workers chatter faintly]
[walkie-talkie chatters faintly]
[woman, in English]
If they hear us, that's it.
We'll be locked up, for sure.
Listen, we've been arrested before.
[whispers in Russian] We'd need
crazy luck to get out of this.
[man whispers indistinctly]
[woman, in English] But prisons here
are way more hardcore.
[coughs softly]
[woman, in Russian]
Careful, don't cough or sneeze.
[coughs softly]
[man, in English] Five hours turns to ten.
Then 20 hours.
Then 30.
But this climb is more important
than all the others.
I mean, this climb was supposed
to bring us back together.
[gentle magical music plays]
[reporter 1] Reaching new heights,
illegally climbing buildings.
[man] Whoa!
[reporter 1] Dangerously scaling cranes.
It's called rooftopping.
[reporter 2] Known as rooftoppers,
their videos are exploding
in popularity across the Internet.
[reporter 1] But there is a cost.
[reporter 3] Over 20 urban explorers
worldwide have plunged
to their untimely demises.
[reporter 4] Dozens of young Russians
have died,
and hundreds more have been injured.
[reporter 5] Others are being celebrated
for pushing the genre towards high art.
[upbeat music plays]
[reporter 6] Russian creator
Angela Nikolau became a viral phenomenon
when she burst on the scene
as the first woman of rooftopping.
[man speaks Russian indistinctly]
[reporter 7] Angela and her accomplice,
Vanya Beerkus,
are the latest social media sensation.
[reporter 8] A dizzying,
sky-high catwalk show
has turned Angela and Vanya
into risk-taking royalty.
[host, in Russian] Ivan Beerkus
and Angela Nikolau.
Do you ever use safety harnesses?
- No. Nothing.
- Never.
- No safety harnesses?
- No.
[host 2] So you're called rooftoppers?
[Angela] Actually,
we're not just rooftoppers.
We're skywalkers.
[magical music plays]
[in Russian] Oh, Grandma!
You're so young here.
Look, your mom lived
to perform with her snakes.
And her llama, and her wolves,
and her monkeys.
She brought them all to live here.
That one wolf, it lived in the bathroom.
I was afraid to go to the toilet.
But your mother can't be told "no."
She is defiant.
In our family, all the women are tough,
with strong personalities.
We rule ourselves.
And now here you are.
[Angela] Everything was wild then,
back in the circus days.
[gentle circus music plays]
[Angela, in English] My parents were
circus performers.
[performers speak Russian indistinctly]
[Angela, in English] We didn't have much,
but my parents were living their dream.
Seeing that passion,
that freedom, was magical.
[circus music intensifies]
In the circus,
they take crazy risks every day
because it allows them
to realize their full potential.
I started dance lessons and acrobatics.
I wanted to feel what they were feeling.
But then I saw how quickly
it can all be taken away.
[sad music plays]
I saw Dad give Mom gifts,
affection, everything.
But then he left for a different woman.
And that was it.
No more Dad.
Mom got too depressed.
She stopped working.
I remember always feeling hungry.
Grandma was the only caretaker.
She taught me to be strong.
[in Russian] Is your knife sharp enough?
- What?
- Is your knife okay?
The knife is fine.
It's my ears that don't work.
The hearing aids from the public clinic
are cheap and lousy.
I always say,
you can only rely on yourself.
[Angela, in English] For years,
I didn't even let myself cry.
But I didn't know who I was.
I just knew I wanted something bigger.
So I went searching
for who I could become.
[gentle intriguing music plays]
And I made a rule.
Never depend on anyone but myself.
[man, in Russian] Son, we saw you
on the cover of the Moscow Times.
What you do is extremely dangerous
and we want you safe.
For the sake of your future,
maybe you can find a less risky path.
[Ivan, in English] Growing up,
I was a loner.
My parents didn't always get along.
It made home feel suffocating.
Some guys would break into rooftops
to get away from the adults and drink.
[man speaks Russian]
[Ivan, in English] I didn't do
much drinking, but I did start exploring.
[Ivan exclaims and laughs]
The higher I went,
the easier it was to breathe.
[pulsing electronic music plays]
Fuck, yeah! Oh!
This extreme life,
this expanded state of mind,
it's essential for me.
The more I learned,
the more followers I got.
Followers led to sponsors.
Sponsors led to travel.
I worked alone
and was in full control of my life.
All that changed
when I started noticing the new girl.
[dreamy music plays]
[Angela] Sometimes,
I would look down at the city,
and I couldn't believe
how I'd gotten here.
I had seen photos of circus acts
performed on rooftops.
So I started looking up.
I felt like the roofs were calling for me,
to come touch the sky,
to be a part of that beauty,
that greatness.
[breathing heavily]
Climbing my first spire, I was so scared.
The city was swimming below.
[intriguing music plays]
But I knew I had found my performance.
I thought, "This is my trapeze."
I studied Moscow roofs
on local chat rooms.
I didn't find any girl rooftoppers.
Only boys, taking extreme photos.
And then I saw Vanya,
the baddest roofer in all of Russia
with the biggest Instagram account
in the country.
He wasn't like other rooftoppers,
just doing crazy shit for likes.
Vanya was serious.
He made it into a real career.
I had to get way better
to compete at that level.
So I hit up the local boys
to show me the best spots.
But they told me
they don't take girls rooftopping.
You think I'm less capable than you?
I didn't want to be equal to them,
but to be better than them.
So I tried some acrobatics.
And I started getting likes.
I felt like a superstar.
[in Russian] You don't worry
that untrained people
might follow your example?
I'm a trained, competitive gymnast.
I have a fine-tuned sense of balance.
It might look quite easy, but it's not.
It's dangerous. Please don't try this.
Are you afraid to die?
[tense music plays]
[man groans on video]
[people scream]
[people exclaim on video]
[people scream]
[exhales heavily]
[in Russian] Fuck, I can feel
my heart racing. This is scary.
[Angela, in English] Yes,
of course I'm afraid to die.
But I have to remind myself
what they say at the circus...
our full potential
is on the other side of fear.
[whimsical music plays]
I even found
a little circus troupe of my own.
- [Angela, in Russian] This is insane.
- [man, in English] Insane.
[in Russian] Seriously,
I'm shaking, panicking.
[man] You get used to it.
[Angela, in English]
The fear never really went away.
[man, in Russian] Harsh wind.
[Angela] It's whipping me around.
- [man] Damn, it's wobbling a lot.
- It's fine, I won't think about it.
[Angela, in English] I just got better
and better at facing it.
Limits only exist in our mind.
[in Russian] This isn't
an adrenaline addiction.
[man speaks indistinctly]
[Angela] It's a commitment to self-growth.
I want to develop as an artist.
[in English] I felt proud of myself,
and that I was ready to take on the best.
[introspective ethereal music plays]
Vanya may have been
more tactically advanced than me...
but I had the creative touch.
[lively upbeat music plays]
[Ivan] It seemed each time
I conquered a new height,
she did something new creatively
to one-up me.
[Angela] I don't want to prove
a woman is strong like a man.
No, a woman is strong in her own way.
Our strength is in our femininity.
[Ivan] A sponsor had paid
for me to go to Europe twice.
Notre-Dame was a success,
but security caught me
at, uh, both Sagrada Famlia
and the Eiffel Tower.
I don't speak, uh, franais.
I preferred to work alone,
but I had to bring them something new.
[Angela] Vanya's first message to me
was very long.
"I have this photoshoot,"
all these details about the sponsor,
hotels, logistics.
This guy was my competition,
and now he's inviting me to China.
I'd never met him
and had no reason to trust him.
But I still had a lot to learn.
[woman, in Russian]
And what, he just invited you?
[Angela] Yep.
[woman] What does he want?
So this is Vanya Beerkus,
thousands of Instagram followers.
His profile is better than yours.
[Angela] Yeah, but his sponsors
want him to bring a girl.
Wait. So you get paid?
[Angela] Yeah, 500 Euro.
- Mm-hmm.
- Don't they want a second girl as well?
[both laugh]
[woman] That's insane.
- On foot?
- [Angela] Mm-hmm.
It's 150 stories.
I've never done more than 70.
- [laughs]
- Angela Nikolau!
[both laugh]
[thunder rumbles gently]
- Hey!
- Hey!
- You made me start to panic.
- Sorry, I'm late.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
[Ivan] Okay, the Eiffel Tower.
There're security cameras everywhere,
no blind spots,
even night vision cameras.
I didn't have a chance.
And what happens
if we're arrested on this climb?
Well, it's Asia, so if we break anything,
we'd do a prison term for vandalism.
They have very strict laws.
[Angela] I just get anxiety.
"What if this or that happens?"
I'm not a seasoned rooftopper like you.
[chuckles] You're an expert
in Moscow roofs.
I'm far from an expert.
No? Okay. You don't do solo climbs, right?
- Of course, I do.
- You do?
- Yes.
- On extreme roofs?
- Well, I did Mercury Tower, for example.
- Seriously?
For real, by yourself?
- [starts speaking]
- Very impressive, you're brave.
[ethereal music plays]
Say something.
I don't know what to say.
I freeze up when...
I'm asked to deliver something.
Yeah, me too.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
Yeah, I'm the same way.
[Ivan, in English] Two tickets.
Two tickets today.
[Angela and Ivan laugh]
[speaks indistinctly in Russian]
[Angela, in English]
Our mission was to climb
the highest construction site
in the world.
[tense music plays]
[Ivan speaks indistinctly]
[Angela] I had no choice
but to put my trust in this guy.
[Angela, in Russian]
I hope it won't fall off.
[Ivan] It won't.
- It's now or never.
- [Angela] Mm-hmm.
Oh.
- [Ivan] Be careful.
- You too.
[Angela] My sneakers are slipping.
Are yours?
[Ivan] Yeah, they are.
Wow, this one's really swaying.
[Angela] I'm going after you.
[Ivan] Damn, be careful here.
It's super wet up here.
It's easier for you. I'm not tall enough.
[Ivan] Right.
Take your time.
That's really tough.
My shoes are slipping.
[Angela] You're insane.
You'll help me up?
[Ivan] Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Look how beautiful.
[Angela, in English]
The client was very happy.
In one day, I got hundreds
of thousands of new followers.
And the offers started coming fast.
We were earning a living from our passion.
[Ivan, in Russian] We're off
to the next destination.
[upbeat music plays]
[Angela, in English] Vanya showed me
so many new things.
Security always has a blind spot.
I can feed the security dogs.
Cover security cameras with my skirt.
[Ivan] Higher floors offer more entrances.
[Angela, in Russian] Oh, Vanya,
the risk-taker!
[Ivan in English] Parking garages
always connect
to the skyscrapers above them.
[Ivan speaks Russian indistinctly]
[in English] If it's under construction,
use props to blend in.
[Angela] Staff elevators don't usually
have security cameras.
[Ivan] On residential sites,
just act like you belong.
[Angela] But we really felt
we belonged anywhere.
Air shafts lead to machine rooms...
and machine rooms lead to rooftops.
[Ivan, in Russian] You see
security down there?
[Angela, in English] On every roof,
I learned a new skill.
- [Angela, in Russian] Fuck, I'm scared.
- Use the shingles like steps.
[breathing heavily]
[Angela] So scary here.
Holy fuck.
You're crazy climbing roofs like this.
[Ivan] Just trust the rope.
[Ivan, in English] Everyone stops you
on the way in.
No one stops you on the way out.
I've gotten real fast at picking locks,
but sometimes, you got to use more force.
[Angela] So we carry
a replacement padlock.
We are not vandals.
[Ivan] Although technically,
we are criminals.
[alarm blaring]
[both laughing]
[both speaking Russian indistinctly]
[cathedral bells ring]
[Angela, in English]
One rule we learned the hard way.
Never stay on top more than 15 minutes.
[both speak Russian indistinctly]
[siren wails below]
[Angela] Fuck, it's a siren.
The police are down there.
[whistle blows]
[Ivan] Let's cut over to the other tower.
[suspenseful music plays]
Don't rush, stay safe.
[Angela, in English] The back alley
looked clear at first.
[man, in French] Hey, stop!
[in English] Stop!
[Ivan] But we got in a foot chase.
[man yells indistinctly in French]
[Ivan] The cops, they caught Angela.
[Angela] Vanya rushed back
and tried to take the blame.
[man, in French] You're detained.
You're arrested for trespassing.
Show us your ID cards.
[man speaks indistinctly in French]
[siren chirps]
[Angela, in English]
We both spent the night in jail.
But we did it together.
[gentle introspective music plays]
[sighs and speaks indistinctly]
[in Russian] Something incredible
just happened.
That's the Paris police station behind us.
But by some miracle, we are walking free.
- They locked us in separate cells...
- [Angela speaks indistinctly]
...after strip searching us.
Butt naked.
We're not terrorists,
not suicidal, not hurting anyone.
We're just artists
filming the city from up high.
I don't see anything wrong
with that. [audio fades]
[Angela, in English] Vanya could
have easily gotten away.
But instead, he sacrificed
himself to help me.
I thought this guy might be
an exception to my rule.
- [Ivan, in Russian] Whoa.
- [Angela] Yes.
[Ivan exclaims and grunts]
- It's tough.
- [Angela] I'm afraid I'll fall.
- [Ivan] Then don't go.
- No.
[Ivan] Let me find you a rope.
[Ivan gasps]
Careful.
[Angela] Can you give me a hand?
[Ivan] That's a long climb.
[Angela] Let's do it.
- [Ivan] I'm really scared for you.
- It's shaking a lot.
[Ivan] Then let's not do it.
[Angela] We're doing it.
[Ivan] No, stop.
Let me give you a hand.
[Angela] This is stupid scary.
- [Ivan speaks indistinctly]
- Other hand. Other hand.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
Whew, we made it.
The outside is better.
Don't rush. The priority is your life.
- [Angela] It's super scary.
- For sure, let's go back.
We've gone so far already.
[Ivan] This girl is amazing.
Can I hold onto this?
It turns out, yes.
[metal rattles]
Listen, this is
a crazy feat. [chuckles]
Few people can do
all that shit we just did.
- [whispers] I worry about you so much.
- [Angela replies indistinctly]
[tender music plays]
[Ivan] It's overwhelming.
[Ivan] She's become a part of me.
My focus is shifting
from my own safety to hers.
That's called "love."
[Ivan exclaims]
- Well, maybe.
- [Angela mock gasps and kisses]
[both laugh]
"Maybe"?
[host and Ivan laugh]
Plot twist.
[Angela grunts and laughs]
[Ivan, in English] The safer she was,
the more creative she became.
And although she would never admit it,
I saw her starting to get softer.
[laughs]
[Angela] It's not like I need a protector.
But I admit, the work
got better and better.
[in Russian] Can I be
on the same level as you?
[Ivan] Let's do it.
Let me fix your hair.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
[Ivan] Okay, let's go.
["Love" by Talisco plays]
[Ivan laughs]
- [Angela speaks indistinctly]
- [both chuckle]
I am the sweat, I ride on you
No, never ran, I come to you
I barely know your name
I barely knew you, baby
I had a minute to get a sign
I had a second to make you mine
As long as you see me
I'll be the lover for a night
[both exclaim and laugh]
Let me fall inside of you
Oh, let me lay you on this way
Oh, let me take it for the night
My lips around your shapes, girl
There's nothing I want more
Love me, I wanna feel
Feel
I am the one
Love, I wanna feel
Feel
Love me, I wanna feel
Feel...
[in Russian] We'll take the boxes.
You bring the cat.
It's our new home, Amur.
[Angela, in English] We got our own place.
[Ivan, in Russian]
Your cat is just like you.
[chuckles] How's that?
Always exploring for new things to climb,
ways to get higher.
[Angela chuckles]
[Ivan] Only he has nine lives,
but you only have one.
[Angela, in English] By then,
there were many rooftoppers,
Europeans, Chinese, Americans.
It became like a race to the top.
[reporter] Soon to be
the world's second-tallest building,
Malaysia's Merdeka 118 is also likely
the world's last megatall skyscraper.
[in Russian] Wow, it's beautiful.
And nobody's been on top.
- It's a virgin.
- [laughs] It's a virgin.
[Angela] Let's do
something gymnastic on top.
- [Ivan] Okay, I'm in.
- We have a deal.
But they haven't even built the spire yet.
It's the truth.
I'm not patient enough to wait that long.
- [laughs]
- [Ivan speaks indistinctly]
What's more dangerous, roofs or you?
[Angela, in English]
We decided to go public,
posting videos of us together.
And added acrobatics.
[in Russian] You stand behind.
- Let's stay here.
- [Ivan mumbles]
[Angela] Here, I stretch my hand to you.
And we circle the drone above.
[Ivan] Always have
three points of contact.
- You got me?
- I got you, I got you.
- I'm taking my hand off now.
- Yes, you can.
[gentle music plays]
- [reporter 1] Angela Nikolau and Vanya...
- [reporter 2] Angela Nikolau and...
[reporter 3] The Russian couple
dominating the sport.
[in Russian] We're Vanya Beerkus
and Angela Nikolau,
the top rooftoppers on the planet.
[woman, in English] With over a million
people following their journey
on social media,
Angela and Vanya's popularity has soared.
[Angela] We created our own genre.
Now we were more than just daredevils.
Now we were telling a story.
A love story.
[Angela, in Russian] Please,
let's just stick together.
Angela, I'm glad you're so nonchalant
while I take care of our safety.
[Angela] Good job running us into a guard.
[Ivan] I can't see with my back.
You used to be calmer.
[Angela grunts]
[Ivan] Wow, it's shaky.
What is she doing?
Angela, relax.
Babe, towards me.
Don't throw your head back so hard.
Your neck gets very tense.
Put your other arm up.
Sick.
Slow down, Angela, slow down.
[Angela] I'm not rushing.
I just don't see a good shot yet.
Vanya, we don't have
a perfect photo of the legs.
- [Ivan] Look, scroll.
- I'm not seeing anything good.
- [camera shutter clicks]
- [Angela grunts]
- Done. There was a great shot, Angela.
- Let's do another.
Angela, enough! I'm tired of hearing that.
You're barely self-aware anymore.
You'll get tired and just collapse.
Why do the fucking work
if it's all shit in the end?
For what? What did we climb here for?
Excuse me, I think
this photo is excellent.
With this thing in it? What's that?
- Fine, you take the shot.
- I can't let go with both hands.
- [Ivan speaks indistinctly]
- I'm in heels.
Please stop creating panic.
You drive me insane.
[tense classical music plays]
[sighs]
We were really pushing our luck.
That's why I'm focused on you.
You're holding on with one hand.
How can I be calm?
It was ten minutes of that.
[woman] I don't understand your urge
to risk your life on these heights.
Should I be proud or upset?
Right, Mom, but don't worry.
Please know I can bear this responsibility
because I'm confident in my abilities.
Listen, I talked to my friend.
There's a good opportunity for you.
It's a trading company.
You'd be a sales rep.
They might even provide a car.
Being creative may just be a hobby.
[reporter, in English]
As the COVID pandemic nears two years now,
the global transport market
takes yet another hit.
Now 43 airlines have gone bankrupt
and shut their doors.
[anxious music plays]
[Angela] During COVID,
our travel sponsors dropped us.
We lost our main source of income.
So I went for new sponsors.
I spent 14 hours a day
producing social media content.
[Ivan] We are depending on her now.
[in Russian] The TVs go
in a pyramid like this.
Shit, I need to call them.
[Ivan] But it's not our passion.
We're so far from who we used to be.
[Angela] I could feel him
becoming distant.
Reminded me of my dad.
[both speak Russian indistinctly]
[Angela] We had a small breakup
after a big fight.
[in Russian] You are my strength.
[woman whoops]
Everyone is partying and you're like,
"I'd rather be on a crane right now."
[laughs]
[Ivan, in English] If I can't get us
out from under this,
I know it will all fall apart.
- [grunts]
- [trainer speaks Russian]
[reporter 1, in English] After days
on a razor's edge, Ukraine is now
a nation at war.
Just hours ago,
Russian forces began their attack.
[reporter 2] The announcement
prompted mass hysteria
as crowds rushed
to Russia's different borders.
[protestors on TV in Russian]
Stop the war! Stop the war!
[reporter 3, in English] So far,
over 10,000 people have been arrested
for protesting
against the invasion of Ukraine.
[Angela] I'm against people dying,
against suffering.
As an artist,
you need to express yourself.
But here, everyone has to be silent.
[reporter] Russia is ramping up
its ban on information,
a court banning
both Facebook and Instagram.
The Meta platforms now officially blocked
across the country. This is...
[Angela] Now, it's either stay
and be censored, or leave.
[Ivan] If we leave, the government
might shut down the borders,
preventing us from returning.
[father, in Russian]
I don't want to push you,
but please think about my offer.
[Ivan] I'm part Ukrainian myself.
I want to be here for my family.
But it feels like no matter what I choose,
I break someone's heart.
[ethereal music plays]
[Ivan breathes heavily]
[gasps] Yeah! Ooh!
[groans]
[in Russian] Personally,
I miss our climbs together.
It was magical.
Sunsets, sunrises, don't you want that?
What I want is to earn...
to be honest.
With NFTs, we create a gallery
and sell directly to our buyers.
It'd be starting from scratch.
It's too risky.
I don't have a safety net,
someone offering me
a well-paid office job.
We can't break into NFTs overnight.
We'd need to do something grandiose.
The old stuff wouldn't cut it.
Do you remember me showing you
this tower being built in Kuala Lumpur?
[Angela] It's done?
Almost. They're finishing the spire.
["Last Goodbye"
by Eric Kinny feat. Danica Dora plays]
We have only a few months
before the security system is installed.
It'll be impossible to get in
after the tech is all up and running.
I read it'll be
the last megatall skyscraper
built for decades.
[reporter 1, in English]
Over a decade in the works,
the 118-story Merdeka
will be a towering monument
for the country.
[reporter 2] The $1.5 billion project
is soon to be complete.
[reporter 3] Merdeka 118 will tower
a staggering 2,200 feet above Asia.
[reporter 4] With its 160-meter spire,
Merdeka is a significant
milestone for mankind.
[Ivan, in Russian] We can be the first.
Targets in their sight
Running out of light
To save me...
[Angela, in Russian]
It feels like goodbye forever.
This is not forever, silly.
[sniffles]
Enough already, you're upsetting the dog.
[chuckles sadly]
- I love you.
- I love you too, Mom.
As I wait
To say my last
Goodbye
[Ivan] Let's go already.
The airport is so empty.
[Angela] Yeah.
[Ivan, in English] We used
our last money for the flight.
- [in Russian] Worried?
- A little bit.
[Ivan, in English] We left with nothing...
except a dream.
[Angela] It's insane.
This epic infinity spire
soaring above Asia.
The highest difficulty
and highest point we've ever attempted.
Say my last
[Ivan] And also the highest risk.
Goodbye
[Ivan] Malaysia is
a strict law-and-order country,
so we are prepping someplace more safe.
[Angela, in Russian]
How long since we practiced?
[Ivan] A few months already.
We need to train more often.
- [Angela] It's called a swan lift.
- A swan lift.
Incredible. I really like this pose.
- Let's try it.
- [Angela speaks indistinctly]
Time for the circus show!
[Angela hums circus music]
Let me position my hands.
- Yes. That's much better.
- [Ivan speaks indistinctly]
We're practically gymnasts.
[both laugh happily]
- If we can stay balanced.
- [squeals]
[both laugh]
[tender music plays]
[Angela laughs]
[Angela exclaims]
[hums bridal march]
It's cool, I was already engaged
in kindergarten anyway.
That engagement didn't work out.
- This will be our commitment.
- [Angela laughs]
[gently suspenseful music plays]
[grunts]
[crowd chattering indistinctly]
- [in English] I'm rooting for Brazil.
- Yeah, yeah, cool. Me too. Me too.
[Ivan, in Russian] Everyone's watching
the World Cup, including the workers.
And on the 18th is the finals.
If we climb during the match,
the guards will be distracted.
[Angela] I love how you're all fired up.
I haven't seen you like this
for a long time.
[Ivan] We need the width of the spire,
a local drone operator
to get us an aerial shot
so we can see the dimensions on top.
Yes, Dad, any extra time is spent
building the NFT collection.
Don't rush.
Vanya, I got this.
Relax your palm, like this.
Uh-huh.
[father] How many have you sold so far?
Two artworks so far, but decent money.
Things are tight right now,
but we chose our new goal, Merdeka,
in hopes it'll take us to the next level.
[musical arrangement turns epic]
[Ivan speaks indistinctly]
I talked to the drone operator.
Do you know this guy?
[Ivan] Not really.
Uh, but everyone else refused.
You wrote to a ton of people?
I only talked to those
willing to do illegal stuff.
Mm-hmm.
The fewer people who know, the better.
What did the drone guy
say about dimensions?
[Ivan] He'll try to get us the shot.
[Angela] Uh-huh.
[exclaims] My balance is off.
I almost dove forward.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
Stop, stop, stop. That hurts.
[Ivan grunts]
[both groan]
Nineteen. Twenty.
[both groan]
Our holds are too short.
And we're not even accounting
for the wind.
The drone guy is texting.
[in English] "Hey, Van,
I got more news for you."
[in Russian] In the last six months,
they caught two people.
They caught two groups.
He's still typing.
They're spending months in prison.
That's why nobody has posted from there.
There are face scanners
and security cams on every floor.
[in English] "No more information."
[in Russian] That's serious jail time.
Oh, God damn it.
[intriguing music plays]
There's facial recognition,
fingerprint scanners.
How will we get into the building?
[thunder rumbles]
[breathing heavily]
- [Ivan] What if we're arrested?
- They won't catch us.
But what if, Angela?
We always do it, like ninjas.
Consider the process, not just the result.
Okay, whatever.
[intriguing music continues]
[groans]
Kitty, you asleep?
I figured it out.
I got us breakfast. Is this a new video?
[Ivan] Yes.
Look at these downward slopes. [exclaims]
The ribs connect
the stadium to the street.
We climb that, we're inside.
[Angela] But they're like a story tall.
[Ivan] You can climb that.
Check out what the drone guy sent.
The hole in the middle
is very deep, Vanya.
There's no way,
unless we put a plank across the top.
We can only put it on this thing.
[shoppers chatter indistinctly]
It's perfect, Vanya,
a piece of scaffolding.
[Ivan] I saw scaffolding
in that Merdeka video.
The same, made of iron.
One, two, three.
Oh, no. Let me down. [grunts]
I need to stay balanced and hold my focus.
- [Ivan] At the horizon?
- I need to practice on a roof.
Now we're talking.
Merdeka will be this wide.
Our only pen from home.
That's it, a very scary square. Nightmare.
- Oh, Vanya, be very careful here.
- I got you.
I won't go backwards, only forward.
Why did you take this step just now?
[Ivan] I just had to adjust my balance.
- [Ivan chuckles] I can't explain it.
- You didn't lose balance, did you?
- [Ivan] No, I'm balanced.
- Okay. So frightening. Let's do it.
One, two, three.
Oh God, it's terrifying. [exclaims]
One, two, three.
My legs are dipping.
[Ivan grunts]
[both grunt]
- Fuck.
- Don't worry.
When there's nothing below,
I feel like I'm falling forward.
It's very scary.
It's not the same on the edge of a drop.
[Ivan] How's it going to be on Merdeka?
I'll have to calm you down
a thousand times.
[Angela] Honestly, I'm not sure
about Merdeka anymore.
[eerie music plays]
[Ivan] Yeah, it'll be way harder.
[Angela] So far,
this feels like total madness.
Whoa, whoa, Vanya.
Do you remember Pasha from my old crew?
[Ivan] Pasha fell?
- [Angela] Yeah.
- Damn.
[Angela] I saw your post
that you had a fall?
You're wearing a compression brace now?
[Pasha] Yeah, I crashed
through the roof of a hotel.
[sighs] That's terrible.
[Pasha] From the old crew,
sadly, most are gone now.
[Angela] What do you mean, "gone"?
[Pasha] I mean they died off one by one.
They're all dead now?
Yes, all of them.
- Pogrebov?
- The bald one, yes.
He's gone.
[eerie music intensifies]
Looks real scary, Vanya.
I don't agree.
There'll be the shock from the height
and you're holding me.
I have to trust you completely
and let go of all self-control,
give all control to you.
I've always stood
on my own feet or my own hands.
This time, I can't depend on myself.
Have I dropped you yet? No, I haven't.
[Angela] I feel very weak.
I have to splash some water on my face.
- All right.
- [Angela speaks indistinctly]
[Angela] Hold my phone.
[pulsing sinister music plays]
[Ivan] You aren't
moving confidently, babe.
[Angela] Don't distract me.
Vanya, I can't go any further.
Is everything okay?
That's it. My body's paralyzed.
I'll sit here.
Okay, wait, let me go get that shot.
Vanya, be careful, please. I'm so scared.
I don't know how I'm going to get back.
[Ivan] Okay, I'm coming to you now.
Stay calm.
- [Ivan speaks indistinctly]
- I can't even move my legs. I'm stuck.
[tense music plays]
[Angela breathing rapidly]
[Angela sobs]
[breathes deeply]
Wait.
- [sighs] I'm trying to calm down.
- It's okay. Take your time.
[sobs]
Don't look down. Look up.
- Fuck.
- Well done, well done.
I can't sit like this any longer.
Where should I go next?
This position is uncomfortable.
I can't take your hand, I can't do it.
Now it's even less comfortable.
What should I do?
[breathing rapidly]
It's okay. Calm down.
Don't panic.
[Angela] Wait, wait.
Can you pull that leg out carefully?
[Ivan] Done.
[Angela] At least I'm sitting
on my butt now.
[Ivan] Mm-hmm.
[Angela] Shit, my knees are shaking.
I'll slide on my butt,
like at a playground.
[Ivan] Okay.
[Angela] Don't film me in this pose.
I don't know what's going on with me.
[Ivan] How do you feel?
Fine. Maybe it was a caffeine overdose.
I had two coffees this morning.
Do you really think
caffeine is the reason?
I don't know what it could be.
It became so narrow,
I just couldn't go on.
Then let's not do climbs
like this anymore.
Something serious
could happen the next time.
[ethereal melancholic music plays]
[Angela, in English] All this prepping
and planning, the waiting and thinking.
I want to climb now,
before the panic comes back.
[Ivan] You have to be 100% sure
on rooftops.
Panic attacks on heights.
This is like a wake-up call.
[in Russian] It's just, I worry about you.
I worry
because you disconnect from reality.
- So what? I have it under control.
- I'm scared for you.
Let me protect you.
[laughs] It's always the same.
You start stressing out and it turns...
[babbles]...into a total circus.
We'll never resolve this part.
It won't stop until we stop rooftopping.
- You are probably right.
- It'll never change. It never has.
What do you need to stop rooftopping?
You want me to stop rooftopping?
That's what you really want, honestly?
The end is near, yeah.
I think it's time to wrap it up soon.
So you honestly want me
to stop climbing roofs?
Yes.
It's the first time
I've heard that from you.
You're for real?
Of course. I'm super worried about you.
[laughs]
It's not funny.
[bittersweet music plays]
Fine, I'll stop climbing tomorrow.
- No, not tomorrow. Let's do Merdeka.
- Ah... [speaks indistinctly]
Film the NFT and then, that's it.
Let's stop.
We're talking complete bullshit now.
[bittersweet music intensifies]
[Angela] For the relationship,
he's willing to sacrifice
what he loves most.
But when he's overprotective,
he holds me back.
Say it again?
I'm just saying he is trying to limit me.
Oh, I see.
Well, I've always lived
by what my own mind advised,
and I don't regret a thing.
Angela, nobody knows you
better than yourself.
[Angela, in English] I refuse to return
to Moscow and have a plain, boring life.
Mom was super talented,
and now is wasting away
in some little village.
Dad became just some sort
of animal handler.
No one will remember them
when they are gone.
When somebody is talked about,
they live on.
I want my work to live on after I'm gone.
[Ivan, in Russian] Careful, Angel.
Go super slow.
Fuck, these rods are thin. [grunts]
Why are you grabbing there?
Give me your hand, Angela.
I prefer doing it myself.
Don't you trust me?
Vanya, Vanya, please, for real.
You're getting on my nerves.
I told you not to constantly pester me
on climbs.
- I'm worried about you.
- You shouldn't be, Vanya.
Don't panic.
[slow, majestic music plays]
- [Ivan speaks indistinctly]
- Huh?
[Ivan] I'm just looking for the angle.
Oh, that works.
[Angela] So windy.
[Ivan] Stay there. That's it. Uh-huh.
Uh-huh. Stay, stay, stay.
- [metal clangs distantly]
- [walkie-talkie chatters faintly]
[Angela shushing]
[shushing]
[door squeaks]
[man yells in Thai] Hey, stop! Security!
You're trespassing. Stop!
- [guard continues shouting]
- [Ivan exclaims]
[in Russian] Go, go, go!
[Angela mutters unintelligibly]
[Ivan breathing heavily]
[Angela] Myself, myself.
- [Angela exclaims and groans]
- [thuds]
[Ivan] Yourself, huh?
[Angela pants]
[clicks tongue]
Uh...
So I had a small accident.
Uh, I hurt my hand after a fall.
Doctor says three weeks to heal.
I hope it heals sooner.
I'm a little slow, still on painkillers.
They put metal rods in.
Definitely unpleasant.
[cat meows]
[cat mewling]
- [Ivan, in English] How much?
- [woman speaks indistinctly]
[Ivan in Thai] Thank you.
[Angela, in Russian] Thanks.
[Ivan grunts softly]
[thunder rumbles]
[Ivan] I think we need to slow down
and postpone Merdeka for a beat.
[Angela] You postpone whatever you want.
I don't need to postpone anything.
- [Ivan] You have a serious injury there.
- Doctor said it'll heal in three weeks.
- I know what my body needs.
- You're behaving like a little girl.
I won't let you go until you heal properly
and we train thoroughly.
It's dangerous, Angela.
You "won't let me"? Are you my parent?
What do you want, Angela?
You don't let me care for you.
It's not caring for me. It's limiting me.
All I did was try to help.
- Thanks for your help. That's why I fell.
- Because of me?
"Let me help you, let me help you."
That's why I fell.
[Ivan] You fell
because you don't trust me.
Don't touch me.
Until you start trusting me,
I won't do Merdeka with you.
It's me who won't do Merdeka with you.
- Stop telling me what I can't do.
- Mm-hmm.
Enough with the filming, guys.
If you don't trust me,
feel free to go on your own.
- [Angela] Fine, I will then. I will.
- Feel free!
[thunder rumbles]
[melancholic classical music plays]
- Hi, Vanya.
- Hi, Dad.
[father speaks Russian]
- [Ivan] Oh.
- Been a while. How are you?
It goes well. It's more or less fine.
Fine.
[father] You don't sound sure.
Where's Angela?
She rejected your help, your support.
This is her decision.
Without trust,
any relationship is bound to fail.
Maybe you should pause your relationship.
And be done with this project.
Maybe you should come back?
[Ivan] Go back?
[father] Mm-hmm.
What do you think?
[ethereal music plays]
[sinister musical flourish plays]
[Ivan and Angela speak indistinctly on TV]
My focus has shifted
from my safety to her safety.
I'm responsible for her.
She's a part of me.
[Ivan, in English] Angela,
her fire is what makes her great.
But when she gets her mind
set on something,
it's frightening.
[musical arrangement turns brooding]
It's not just a spark in her.
It becomes a whole wildfire.
[Angela, in Russian]
He's smothering my fire.
He told me that I'm losing control,
that I'm getting carried away.
[woman] Angela, you posted
a caption on your social media,
"No limit, no control."
Yeah, so what?
Maybe he's right to hold you back,
pulling you back down to earth...
[tender music plays]
[woman] ...while you bring him to life.
Maybe you both need the other for balance?
[Angela, in English] Hi.
Where are you from?
[man, in Russian] We are from Ukraine.
First day of the war, we just...
[mimics whooshing]
[Angela] Same here.
I'm also from a circus family.
Will your daughter
also work in the circus?
Up to her. I just want her safe.
What happened to your arm?
- Or is that just for style?
- Yeah.
What's the scar from, circus?
A knitting accident.
But honestly?
[laughs]
- I...
- You fell?
Let's go to the circus.
[soft, hopeful music plays]
[crowd cheers]
[Angela, in English] My happiest
childhood memory is of the circus.
[inaudible]
I thought it was because the performers
were applauded for their success.
But I realized it was because the circus
is where my parents were together.
Before my dad left.
Maybe relationships should be
like in the aerial show.
There's the flyer and the catcher.
The flyer leads the couple into the skies.
Nobody focuses on the catcher,
but he performs the main function.
He is in charge of safety,
keeping them grounded.
I cannot do this alone.
[Angela gasps]
[in Russian] Vanya's here.
[ethereal music plays]
[chuckles]
How's your hand?
It didn't fall off.
Did you come here to climb
or to talk me out of it?
Before you, I thought rooftopping
was for personal achievement.
Uh...
And when I met you,
I realized that it's an art form.
And I was inspired by you.
You and I have begun to create
very beautiful things.
And I'm very grateful.
So let's make a deal.
[Angela laughs] I don't like conditions.
I think you'll like my terms.
No matter what craziness we face,
we come together,
rather than turning away.
And I promise
I'll always be right there with you.
And on Merdeka too?
Including Merdeka.
[laughs]
And then we're done, right?
[laughs and gasps]
[groovy upbeat music plays]
[Ivan] Security cam. I see a camera.
There's security around the perimeter.
Angela, cover the camera.
Security has a weak spot here,
but they're smart, there's a camera.
We'll climb up this rib thingy.
Then we'll circle around on the terrace.
So we'll pass above security.
Keep it casual.
Let's go higher for a better view.
Then slip past workers
to enter the mall site.
[Angela] We'll go to the third floor.
Then we navigate across the mall...
[Ivan] Mm-hmm.
[Angela]...to the bridge to Merdeka.
[Ivan] The bridge is the hardest part.
Hopefully, the guard will be busy
watching the football match.
Whoa, a mighty storm's brewing.
[Angela] The workers are on the mall roof,
rain or shine.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
- Anything to hide our faces.
- [Angela laughs]
[Ivan, in English] Uh, do you have small?
How much is this?
[in Russian] Someone's coming.
Stealth level, supreme.
There are cameras in the elevators.
The elevator cannot be used at all.
The entire area with lights on
is active construction.
If we zigzag between the staircases,
the workers can't track us.
[Angela] Then we enter the spire.
[Ivan] We saw some stairs here.
They should go all the way up.
[drone whirring]
Let's fly.
God, the wind is so strong.
Here, a perfect platform.
This scaffolding is perfect.
[reporter] Only two more days
in the countdown
to the much-anticipated World Cup final
between France and Argentina.
And then the longest ladder ever.
Plus, there's the trapdoor to the roof.
We break open the trapdoor,
and Merdeka is ours.
- Easy.
- [laughs]
Easy.
[suspenseful music plays]
[Ivan, in English] Right before a climb,
physical ability is less important
than inner belief.
We have to shut off inner fears.
Now, it all relies on trusting each other.
[in Russian] We have so much to pack.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
[Ivan, in English] GoPros overheat fast
in this humidity,
so we pack four with extra batteries.
[Angela] And we need night vision
to see in low light.
Plus, it shows us
infrared security cameras.
[Ivan] With so much tactical gear,
we can only pack
a little bit of food and water.
[in Russian] All tools in the backpack,
including lockpicks.
Right, got all the tools.
[Angela, in English] We'll be invisible,
in all black, like ninjas.
[in Russian] Countdown
to the World Cup kickoff?
It's 10:30 p.m.
Match starts in 30 minutes.
- You're not nervous, are you?
- [Angela] No, I'm fine.
[Ivan speaks indistinctly]
[Ivan, in Russian] Let's climb this one.
Come here.
Put your foot here.
[Angela mutters]
[Ivan] One, two, three.
You're doing great.
Argentina, France. 0-0.
[fans cheering]
[Ivan whispers indistinctly]
[continues whispering]
- [distant cheering]
- Oh, you hear that? Fans going crazy.
[wild cheering]
Oh, it was Leo Messi on a penalty kick.
The guard's booth is below us right now.
- [Angela] Let's not get caught here.
- Yeah, I see workers in the mall.
You see any cameras?
Careful, there's a guard.
Watch out, a guard with a flashlight.
Let's speed through here.
[Ivan whispers indistinctly]
[Angela] Let's put on the hard hats.
It's time to change outfits.
[Ivan whispers] Be super quiet.
This floor is perfect.
There won't be cameras here.
The workers aren't even looking at us.
[Angela] That's the bridge there.
[Ivan] Maximum quietness here.
There she is.
[wonderstruck music plays]
Let's touch Merdeka.
There's the guard's desk.
He's not there.
[Angela] Watching the match. You knew it.
[Ivan] Just be super quiet.
[gate clangs softly]
That was easy.
Quick and quiet.
The match only goes 30 more minutes.
[suspenseful music plays]
Yeah, good disguise.
- [Angela] This is exhausting.
- Let's rest here.
[Angela whispers indistinctly]
[Ivan] The match is still tied,
going into extra time.
That's 15 more minutes.
Clear. No cameras.
You hear that?
Match is going into penalties.
Even more time.
[crowd cheers]
[cheering wildly]
[mysterious music plays]
[Ivan] Nice spot.
We need to save energy for the spire.
Hour and a half until sunrise.
No point going up sooner.
We'll need to find the scaffolding too.
[Ivan whispers indistinctly]
We'll do it all at 5:00 a.m.
[Ivan] What's that?
I've never seen this thing before.
A motion detector?
Camera.
Fuck. A camera.
[tense music plays]
Shit.
- Was it on?
- I think so.
What now?
Fuck.
Ah, shit.
I should have had my mask on.
- [distant clang]
- You hear that?
Listen.
[faint whirring]
- Elevators are moving.
- Yeah.
They're sending security.
We're definitely spotted.
Shit.
[Angela] You hear workers?
[men speak distantly]
[Ivan] Sounds like it.
- They're really close.
- [man exclaims in distance]
[Ivan] Go. Go. Go.
[Angela mutters]
What's our plan here?
- [Ivan] Shit.
- They're coming this way.
Great idea.
Then we'll push it back once we're inside.
Fuck.
[clanging in distance]
[power tools whirring]
I don't know how we get out of here.
[whispers] Our chances are low.
With this heat and zero water left.
[distant hammering]
[man exclaims nearby]
[walkie-talkie chatters indistinctly]
[softly] It's so dusty.
[Ivan coughs]
- [coughs]
- Careful, don't cough or sneeze.
[coughs]
The dust?
I keep thinking of those prisons.
We just need to wait it out.
We need water
or our fevers will keep rising.
[Angela] It sounds like they left.
[Ivan] Let's go for it.
- [whirring]
- Is that the elevator?
Fuck, it's the night shift.
[men chattering]
[Ivan, in English]
I see her body is giving up.
We have pounding headaches, rising fevers,
and it's hard to breathe.
I have to risk it.
[gently suspenseful music plays]
[swallowing]
[in Russian] Vanya, the caveman,
procured us water.
[in English] I see
that even in his weakest moment,
this man will always take care of me.
[distant clanging]
[Ivan, in Russian]
They're on the other side.
Listen, all the way over there.
[suspenseful music intensifies]
[Angela] We'll be quieter
in just our socks.
[men speak nearby]
[Ivan] It's open.
Oh, man. We're so lucky.
- [Angela] That's the top floor?
- Yeah, 118.
These are the other rooftoppers.
[Angela] Yeah, in handcuffs.
[Ivan] This is fucked up.
[softly] Let's try the other staircase.
Another locked gate.
And another camera.
Fuck this.
God damn it. We're fucked.
That's it, we retreat altogether.
[Angela] Wait, maybe it's just a chain.
[Ivan] You want me to break it on camera?
It's a fail, a complete fail.
[sighs]
[brooding electronic music plays]
This is a disaster.
Everything's locked.
[Angela, in English]
I see that he's lost courage.
I think, maybe, it's my turn to lead us.
[hopeful music plays]
So I tried to channel hope.
[in Russian] Any other option?
[Ivan] I honestly have no idea.
[Angela] Maybe we can find
a door to break?
We need to call it quits, Angela.
[Angela] We've never given up before.
Let's not start now.
[Ivan] It's over. The climb is over.
[Angela] There's always a way.
There's always a way.
And you always find it, babe.
[musical arrangement turns tense]
[Ivan] I remember something
from the building plans.
The top floor has that room
with an exit to a fire escape.
[Angela] We can pick the lock.
[clicking]
[deep click and thud]
[Ivan] You're like my second intuition.
It's the spire. The spire.
[Angela] This is where
we saw the platform.
[Ivan] I see scaffolding there.
I'll go get it. I'll try to cut one loose.
[tense, pulsing music plays]
[Angela] Ah, super.
Brilliant.
Vanya, we're kicking ass.
[Ivan] Still a long way to go.
This is the craziest shit we've ever done.
[Angela] Uh-huh.
[Angela] My headache is worse.
I'm so tired.
We've been on this ladder
16 minutes already.
I'm so hungry and tired.
[sighs]
My lungs are full of dust.
I can barely move. Holy shit.
[Ivan] Not there yet.
Another hundred fifty feet.
[Angela] Seriously?
Will this Merdeka ever end?
[sighs]
[exclaims]
I almost just fell.
[sighs heavily]
I can't climb anymore, Vanya.
[Ivan] Another hundred feet
and the spire will be ours.
[Angela] My arms are killing me.
[Ivan] Babe!
It's open.
- [Angela] It's open?
- It's open.
[wondrous music plays]
Holy shit, babe.
[whirring]
[Angela] Fuck, it's so shaky and so small.
- [Ivan] But it's sturdy.
- [exclaims]
I don't see how
we'll do the lift now, Vanya.
[Angela gasps softly]
[despondent classical music plays]
- Terrifying?
- [Ivan] Not too bad.
Fuck, it drops all the way down.
Crazy scary.
Vanya, I'm too scared
even to stand on this.
I'm terrified.
My knees are shaking.
Babe, it's six feet long.
- It's like an endless tunnel down.
- I see it. There's no way I'll drop you.
[Angela, in English]
I'm imagining the worst.
If Vanya stumbles,
I fall into the spire hole...
or over the edge,
into the abyss.
- [in Russian] I won't do it. I'm out.
- You don't even want to try?
No, because it'll be me
hanging over the edge.
And it'll be me that's holding you.
I've never dropped you in practice, never.
We've never done a lift
after such an exhausting climb,
with no sleep.
Why are you being so negative?
Because I'm tired and anxious.
Can I release this emotion?
[Ivan] Of course.
[Angela gasps]
[sobs]
- Are you afraid?
- Yes.
Kitty, you know I'd never drop you.
[Angela] But why go through this hell?
I'm super scared.
[Ivan] You want to call it off?
I don't know.
[Angela breathes deeply]
[Ivan, in English]
It's extreme mental pressure.
Our job is to balance each other.
[in Russian] Okay, come here.
Yes, we've been climbing
for over thirty hours.
Yes, it's been extremely hard.
But look at this beauty around us.
No one else has seen this view.
[tender music plays]
The forecast was
for rain and clouds today.
It's been storming
the whole time we've been here.
They say there are no miracles...
but here's one.
Not a cloud, no wind at all.
[Angela] That's true, very strange.
[Ivan] This isn't an accident.
[musical arrangement turns
grand and majestic]
[Angela, in English]
He helps me see clearly.
When I calm down, I find strength.
- [in Russian] Just rely on me now.
- Okay.
[Ivan] Start.
Three, two...
Wait, I'm not ready, I'm not ready.
Remember this moment.
Remember this moment.
- Yeah.
- Ready.
Three, two, one.
[whispers] Don't worry.
Don't worry. I got you.
Let's fly, kitty.
[musical arrangement turns epic]
Hold, hold, hold, hold.
I'll never drop you for anything.
[tender music plays]
- Not scared anymore?
- Yes, I'm fine.
[Angela, in English] I felt so safe
in your hands.
In that moment, all my fears vanished.
This climb, it's taught me to trust you.
["Stand On The Word"
by The Joubert Singers plays]
[Ivan] When you fell, I lifted you.
When I fell, you lifted me.
[in Russian] We did it. [kisses]
We made it, babe.
[Ivan, in English]The roof is full
of workers, but of course,
what we know is that
no one questions you on the way out.
[Angela] No one will know
we were there until we post,
once we've left the country.
We take pride in clean work.
[in Russian] We made it, babe.
I can't believe it.
Yeah!
[jet engines roar]
[in English] Once we posted the videos,
they had a life of their own.
Works
That's how
The good lord
He works
That's how he works...
[reporter speaks in Malay]
[reporter 2] Malaysian police
have opened an investigation
on extreme climbers Angela Nikolau
and Ivan Beerkus for trespassing.
[reporter 3] ...Malaysian government is
claiming that it's fake news.
They're saying it's photoshopped.
[reporter 4] But the Russian climbers
have provided proof.
[Angela] And boom, our craziest NFbecame our biggest sale yet.
And it was shown in Times Square
in New York City...
That's how the good lord works...
[Angela] ...the largest art gallery
we could ever hope for.
[in Russian] Son, you chose
a unique life path.
Yeah. Thank you.
And you achieved what you set out to do.
- Thank you. [chuckles]
- We're very proud of you, son.
Though it's wrong for a mother to say,
I agree and I'm proud of you.
That's so important for me to hear.
Thank you.
[Angela, in English] After a while,
I was able to visit Grandma back home.
[Angela shouts]
- [grandmother exclaims]
- [Angela laughs]
[in Russian] I didn't know
you were coming.
This is a gift for you, Grandma.
[gasps]
Hearing aids! Are they expensive?
Let's try them out.
Whisper something to me.
[chuckles]
[softly] I want a sandwich.
I love you too.
- [screams and laughs]
- [laughs]
Thank you, darling!
[Ivan, in English]
We are able to travel again.
[inaudible]
[laughing]
[Angela] We are the modern-day version
of a traveling circus.
Coming soon to a city near you.
[squeals]
[Angela screams and laughs]
That's how the good lord works
That's how he works
[Angela] Love is like heights.
The fear never goes away.
You just get better at facing it.
Stand on the word
The word of God
Stand on the word
The word of God
Stand on the word
The word of God...
[Angela] I thought Vanya was put
in my life to teach me to skywalk.
But now I see that skywalking
was put into my life...
to teach me how to love.
["Last Goodbye"
by Eric Kinny feat. Danica Dora plays]
Shadows in the sky
Footsteps in the night
Behind me
Targets in their sight
Running out of light
To save me
Red moon on the rise
You say your last goodnight
While I
Keep getting by
[faint clamor]
[crowd cheers]
[Guy Mowbray] Three-three.
This will surely lay claim
to be the greatest World Cup final
that's ever been seen.
Lionel Messi with one more
magical, magnificent twist in the tale.
He might have just won the World Cup.
[ominous, brooding music plays]
[woman] We are high above
the World Cup madness,
climbing the last super skyscraper
on the planet.
Security is too busy watching
the match to see us sneak by.
So all is going according to plan...
until floor 113.
[distant clanging]
[in Russian] You hear that?
[distant clattering]
Listen.
[elevator whirs]
- Elevators are moving.
- [man] Yeah.
They're sending security.
We're definitely spotted.
Shit.
[whispers] Go, go, go.
[woman] I hear them coming.
[man] In here.
Construction workers everywhere.
Fuck, didn't plan on this.
[construction workers chatter faintly]
[walkie-talkie chatters faintly]
[woman, in English]
If they hear us, that's it.
We'll be locked up, for sure.
Listen, we've been arrested before.
[whispers in Russian] We'd need
crazy luck to get out of this.
[man whispers indistinctly]
[woman, in English] But prisons here
are way more hardcore.
[coughs softly]
[woman, in Russian]
Careful, don't cough or sneeze.
[coughs softly]
[man, in English] Five hours turns to ten.
Then 20 hours.
Then 30.
But this climb is more important
than all the others.
I mean, this climb was supposed
to bring us back together.
[gentle magical music plays]
[reporter 1] Reaching new heights,
illegally climbing buildings.
[man] Whoa!
[reporter 1] Dangerously scaling cranes.
It's called rooftopping.
[reporter 2] Known as rooftoppers,
their videos are exploding
in popularity across the Internet.
[reporter 1] But there is a cost.
[reporter 3] Over 20 urban explorers
worldwide have plunged
to their untimely demises.
[reporter 4] Dozens of young Russians
have died,
and hundreds more have been injured.
[reporter 5] Others are being celebrated
for pushing the genre towards high art.
[upbeat music plays]
[reporter 6] Russian creator
Angela Nikolau became a viral phenomenon
when she burst on the scene
as the first woman of rooftopping.
[man speaks Russian indistinctly]
[reporter 7] Angela and her accomplice,
Vanya Beerkus,
are the latest social media sensation.
[reporter 8] A dizzying,
sky-high catwalk show
has turned Angela and Vanya
into risk-taking royalty.
[host, in Russian] Ivan Beerkus
and Angela Nikolau.
Do you ever use safety harnesses?
- No. Nothing.
- Never.
- No safety harnesses?
- No.
[host 2] So you're called rooftoppers?
[Angela] Actually,
we're not just rooftoppers.
We're skywalkers.
[magical music plays]
[in Russian] Oh, Grandma!
You're so young here.
Look, your mom lived
to perform with her snakes.
And her llama, and her wolves,
and her monkeys.
She brought them all to live here.
That one wolf, it lived in the bathroom.
I was afraid to go to the toilet.
But your mother can't be told "no."
She is defiant.
In our family, all the women are tough,
with strong personalities.
We rule ourselves.
And now here you are.
[Angela] Everything was wild then,
back in the circus days.
[gentle circus music plays]
[Angela, in English] My parents were
circus performers.
[performers speak Russian indistinctly]
[Angela, in English] We didn't have much,
but my parents were living their dream.
Seeing that passion,
that freedom, was magical.
[circus music intensifies]
In the circus,
they take crazy risks every day
because it allows them
to realize their full potential.
I started dance lessons and acrobatics.
I wanted to feel what they were feeling.
But then I saw how quickly
it can all be taken away.
[sad music plays]
I saw Dad give Mom gifts,
affection, everything.
But then he left for a different woman.
And that was it.
No more Dad.
Mom got too depressed.
She stopped working.
I remember always feeling hungry.
Grandma was the only caretaker.
She taught me to be strong.
[in Russian] Is your knife sharp enough?
- What?
- Is your knife okay?
The knife is fine.
It's my ears that don't work.
The hearing aids from the public clinic
are cheap and lousy.
I always say,
you can only rely on yourself.
[Angela, in English] For years,
I didn't even let myself cry.
But I didn't know who I was.
I just knew I wanted something bigger.
So I went searching
for who I could become.
[gentle intriguing music plays]
And I made a rule.
Never depend on anyone but myself.
[man, in Russian] Son, we saw you
on the cover of the Moscow Times.
What you do is extremely dangerous
and we want you safe.
For the sake of your future,
maybe you can find a less risky path.
[Ivan, in English] Growing up,
I was a loner.
My parents didn't always get along.
It made home feel suffocating.
Some guys would break into rooftops
to get away from the adults and drink.
[man speaks Russian]
[Ivan, in English] I didn't do
much drinking, but I did start exploring.
[Ivan exclaims and laughs]
The higher I went,
the easier it was to breathe.
[pulsing electronic music plays]
Fuck, yeah! Oh!
This extreme life,
this expanded state of mind,
it's essential for me.
The more I learned,
the more followers I got.
Followers led to sponsors.
Sponsors led to travel.
I worked alone
and was in full control of my life.
All that changed
when I started noticing the new girl.
[dreamy music plays]
[Angela] Sometimes,
I would look down at the city,
and I couldn't believe
how I'd gotten here.
I had seen photos of circus acts
performed on rooftops.
So I started looking up.
I felt like the roofs were calling for me,
to come touch the sky,
to be a part of that beauty,
that greatness.
[breathing heavily]
Climbing my first spire, I was so scared.
The city was swimming below.
[intriguing music plays]
But I knew I had found my performance.
I thought, "This is my trapeze."
I studied Moscow roofs
on local chat rooms.
I didn't find any girl rooftoppers.
Only boys, taking extreme photos.
And then I saw Vanya,
the baddest roofer in all of Russia
with the biggest Instagram account
in the country.
He wasn't like other rooftoppers,
just doing crazy shit for likes.
Vanya was serious.
He made it into a real career.
I had to get way better
to compete at that level.
So I hit up the local boys
to show me the best spots.
But they told me
they don't take girls rooftopping.
You think I'm less capable than you?
I didn't want to be equal to them,
but to be better than them.
So I tried some acrobatics.
And I started getting likes.
I felt like a superstar.
[in Russian] You don't worry
that untrained people
might follow your example?
I'm a trained, competitive gymnast.
I have a fine-tuned sense of balance.
It might look quite easy, but it's not.
It's dangerous. Please don't try this.
Are you afraid to die?
[tense music plays]
[man groans on video]
[people scream]
[people exclaim on video]
[people scream]
[exhales heavily]
[in Russian] Fuck, I can feel
my heart racing. This is scary.
[Angela, in English] Yes,
of course I'm afraid to die.
But I have to remind myself
what they say at the circus...
our full potential
is on the other side of fear.
[whimsical music plays]
I even found
a little circus troupe of my own.
- [Angela, in Russian] This is insane.
- [man, in English] Insane.
[in Russian] Seriously,
I'm shaking, panicking.
[man] You get used to it.
[Angela, in English]
The fear never really went away.
[man, in Russian] Harsh wind.
[Angela] It's whipping me around.
- [man] Damn, it's wobbling a lot.
- It's fine, I won't think about it.
[Angela, in English] I just got better
and better at facing it.
Limits only exist in our mind.
[in Russian] This isn't
an adrenaline addiction.
[man speaks indistinctly]
[Angela] It's a commitment to self-growth.
I want to develop as an artist.
[in English] I felt proud of myself,
and that I was ready to take on the best.
[introspective ethereal music plays]
Vanya may have been
more tactically advanced than me...
but I had the creative touch.
[lively upbeat music plays]
[Ivan] It seemed each time
I conquered a new height,
she did something new creatively
to one-up me.
[Angela] I don't want to prove
a woman is strong like a man.
No, a woman is strong in her own way.
Our strength is in our femininity.
[Ivan] A sponsor had paid
for me to go to Europe twice.
Notre-Dame was a success,
but security caught me
at, uh, both Sagrada Famlia
and the Eiffel Tower.
I don't speak, uh, franais.
I preferred to work alone,
but I had to bring them something new.
[Angela] Vanya's first message to me
was very long.
"I have this photoshoot,"
all these details about the sponsor,
hotels, logistics.
This guy was my competition,
and now he's inviting me to China.
I'd never met him
and had no reason to trust him.
But I still had a lot to learn.
[woman, in Russian]
And what, he just invited you?
[Angela] Yep.
[woman] What does he want?
So this is Vanya Beerkus,
thousands of Instagram followers.
His profile is better than yours.
[Angela] Yeah, but his sponsors
want him to bring a girl.
Wait. So you get paid?
[Angela] Yeah, 500 Euro.
- Mm-hmm.
- Don't they want a second girl as well?
[both laugh]
[woman] That's insane.
- On foot?
- [Angela] Mm-hmm.
It's 150 stories.
I've never done more than 70.
- [laughs]
- Angela Nikolau!
[both laugh]
[thunder rumbles gently]
- Hey!
- Hey!
- You made me start to panic.
- Sorry, I'm late.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
[Ivan] Okay, the Eiffel Tower.
There're security cameras everywhere,
no blind spots,
even night vision cameras.
I didn't have a chance.
And what happens
if we're arrested on this climb?
Well, it's Asia, so if we break anything,
we'd do a prison term for vandalism.
They have very strict laws.
[Angela] I just get anxiety.
"What if this or that happens?"
I'm not a seasoned rooftopper like you.
[chuckles] You're an expert
in Moscow roofs.
I'm far from an expert.
No? Okay. You don't do solo climbs, right?
- Of course, I do.
- You do?
- Yes.
- On extreme roofs?
- Well, I did Mercury Tower, for example.
- Seriously?
For real, by yourself?
- [starts speaking]
- Very impressive, you're brave.
[ethereal music plays]
Say something.
I don't know what to say.
I freeze up when...
I'm asked to deliver something.
Yeah, me too.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
Yeah, I'm the same way.
[Ivan, in English] Two tickets.
Two tickets today.
[Angela and Ivan laugh]
[speaks indistinctly in Russian]
[Angela, in English]
Our mission was to climb
the highest construction site
in the world.
[tense music plays]
[Ivan speaks indistinctly]
[Angela] I had no choice
but to put my trust in this guy.
[Angela, in Russian]
I hope it won't fall off.
[Ivan] It won't.
- It's now or never.
- [Angela] Mm-hmm.
Oh.
- [Ivan] Be careful.
- You too.
[Angela] My sneakers are slipping.
Are yours?
[Ivan] Yeah, they are.
Wow, this one's really swaying.
[Angela] I'm going after you.
[Ivan] Damn, be careful here.
It's super wet up here.
It's easier for you. I'm not tall enough.
[Ivan] Right.
Take your time.
That's really tough.
My shoes are slipping.
[Angela] You're insane.
You'll help me up?
[Ivan] Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Look how beautiful.
[Angela, in English]
The client was very happy.
In one day, I got hundreds
of thousands of new followers.
And the offers started coming fast.
We were earning a living from our passion.
[Ivan, in Russian] We're off
to the next destination.
[upbeat music plays]
[Angela, in English] Vanya showed me
so many new things.
Security always has a blind spot.
I can feed the security dogs.
Cover security cameras with my skirt.
[Ivan] Higher floors offer more entrances.
[Angela, in Russian] Oh, Vanya,
the risk-taker!
[Ivan in English] Parking garages
always connect
to the skyscrapers above them.
[Ivan speaks Russian indistinctly]
[in English] If it's under construction,
use props to blend in.
[Angela] Staff elevators don't usually
have security cameras.
[Ivan] On residential sites,
just act like you belong.
[Angela] But we really felt
we belonged anywhere.
Air shafts lead to machine rooms...
and machine rooms lead to rooftops.
[Ivan, in Russian] You see
security down there?
[Angela, in English] On every roof,
I learned a new skill.
- [Angela, in Russian] Fuck, I'm scared.
- Use the shingles like steps.
[breathing heavily]
[Angela] So scary here.
Holy fuck.
You're crazy climbing roofs like this.
[Ivan] Just trust the rope.
[Ivan, in English] Everyone stops you
on the way in.
No one stops you on the way out.
I've gotten real fast at picking locks,
but sometimes, you got to use more force.
[Angela] So we carry
a replacement padlock.
We are not vandals.
[Ivan] Although technically,
we are criminals.
[alarm blaring]
[both laughing]
[both speaking Russian indistinctly]
[cathedral bells ring]
[Angela, in English]
One rule we learned the hard way.
Never stay on top more than 15 minutes.
[both speak Russian indistinctly]
[siren wails below]
[Angela] Fuck, it's a siren.
The police are down there.
[whistle blows]
[Ivan] Let's cut over to the other tower.
[suspenseful music plays]
Don't rush, stay safe.
[Angela, in English] The back alley
looked clear at first.
[man, in French] Hey, stop!
[in English] Stop!
[Ivan] But we got in a foot chase.
[man yells indistinctly in French]
[Ivan] The cops, they caught Angela.
[Angela] Vanya rushed back
and tried to take the blame.
[man, in French] You're detained.
You're arrested for trespassing.
Show us your ID cards.
[man speaks indistinctly in French]
[siren chirps]
[Angela, in English]
We both spent the night in jail.
But we did it together.
[gentle introspective music plays]
[sighs and speaks indistinctly]
[in Russian] Something incredible
just happened.
That's the Paris police station behind us.
But by some miracle, we are walking free.
- They locked us in separate cells...
- [Angela speaks indistinctly]
...after strip searching us.
Butt naked.
We're not terrorists,
not suicidal, not hurting anyone.
We're just artists
filming the city from up high.
I don't see anything wrong
with that. [audio fades]
[Angela, in English] Vanya could
have easily gotten away.
But instead, he sacrificed
himself to help me.
I thought this guy might be
an exception to my rule.
- [Ivan, in Russian] Whoa.
- [Angela] Yes.
[Ivan exclaims and grunts]
- It's tough.
- [Angela] I'm afraid I'll fall.
- [Ivan] Then don't go.
- No.
[Ivan] Let me find you a rope.
[Ivan gasps]
Careful.
[Angela] Can you give me a hand?
[Ivan] That's a long climb.
[Angela] Let's do it.
- [Ivan] I'm really scared for you.
- It's shaking a lot.
[Ivan] Then let's not do it.
[Angela] We're doing it.
[Ivan] No, stop.
Let me give you a hand.
[Angela] This is stupid scary.
- [Ivan speaks indistinctly]
- Other hand. Other hand.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
Whew, we made it.
The outside is better.
Don't rush. The priority is your life.
- [Angela] It's super scary.
- For sure, let's go back.
We've gone so far already.
[Ivan] This girl is amazing.
Can I hold onto this?
It turns out, yes.
[metal rattles]
Listen, this is
a crazy feat. [chuckles]
Few people can do
all that shit we just did.
- [whispers] I worry about you so much.
- [Angela replies indistinctly]
[tender music plays]
[Ivan] It's overwhelming.
[Ivan] She's become a part of me.
My focus is shifting
from my own safety to hers.
That's called "love."
[Ivan exclaims]
- Well, maybe.
- [Angela mock gasps and kisses]
[both laugh]
"Maybe"?
[host and Ivan laugh]
Plot twist.
[Angela grunts and laughs]
[Ivan, in English] The safer she was,
the more creative she became.
And although she would never admit it,
I saw her starting to get softer.
[laughs]
[Angela] It's not like I need a protector.
But I admit, the work
got better and better.
[in Russian] Can I be
on the same level as you?
[Ivan] Let's do it.
Let me fix your hair.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
[Ivan] Okay, let's go.
["Love" by Talisco plays]
[Ivan laughs]
- [Angela speaks indistinctly]
- [both chuckle]
I am the sweat, I ride on you
No, never ran, I come to you
I barely know your name
I barely knew you, baby
I had a minute to get a sign
I had a second to make you mine
As long as you see me
I'll be the lover for a night
[both exclaim and laugh]
Let me fall inside of you
Oh, let me lay you on this way
Oh, let me take it for the night
My lips around your shapes, girl
There's nothing I want more
Love me, I wanna feel
Feel
I am the one
Love, I wanna feel
Feel
Love me, I wanna feel
Feel...
[in Russian] We'll take the boxes.
You bring the cat.
It's our new home, Amur.
[Angela, in English] We got our own place.
[Ivan, in Russian]
Your cat is just like you.
[chuckles] How's that?
Always exploring for new things to climb,
ways to get higher.
[Angela chuckles]
[Ivan] Only he has nine lives,
but you only have one.
[Angela, in English] By then,
there were many rooftoppers,
Europeans, Chinese, Americans.
It became like a race to the top.
[reporter] Soon to be
the world's second-tallest building,
Malaysia's Merdeka 118 is also likely
the world's last megatall skyscraper.
[in Russian] Wow, it's beautiful.
And nobody's been on top.
- It's a virgin.
- [laughs] It's a virgin.
[Angela] Let's do
something gymnastic on top.
- [Ivan] Okay, I'm in.
- We have a deal.
But they haven't even built the spire yet.
It's the truth.
I'm not patient enough to wait that long.
- [laughs]
- [Ivan speaks indistinctly]
What's more dangerous, roofs or you?
[Angela, in English]
We decided to go public,
posting videos of us together.
And added acrobatics.
[in Russian] You stand behind.
- Let's stay here.
- [Ivan mumbles]
[Angela] Here, I stretch my hand to you.
And we circle the drone above.
[Ivan] Always have
three points of contact.
- You got me?
- I got you, I got you.
- I'm taking my hand off now.
- Yes, you can.
[gentle music plays]
- [reporter 1] Angela Nikolau and Vanya...
- [reporter 2] Angela Nikolau and...
[reporter 3] The Russian couple
dominating the sport.
[in Russian] We're Vanya Beerkus
and Angela Nikolau,
the top rooftoppers on the planet.
[woman, in English] With over a million
people following their journey
on social media,
Angela and Vanya's popularity has soared.
[Angela] We created our own genre.
Now we were more than just daredevils.
Now we were telling a story.
A love story.
[Angela, in Russian] Please,
let's just stick together.
Angela, I'm glad you're so nonchalant
while I take care of our safety.
[Angela] Good job running us into a guard.
[Ivan] I can't see with my back.
You used to be calmer.
[Angela grunts]
[Ivan] Wow, it's shaky.
What is she doing?
Angela, relax.
Babe, towards me.
Don't throw your head back so hard.
Your neck gets very tense.
Put your other arm up.
Sick.
Slow down, Angela, slow down.
[Angela] I'm not rushing.
I just don't see a good shot yet.
Vanya, we don't have
a perfect photo of the legs.
- [Ivan] Look, scroll.
- I'm not seeing anything good.
- [camera shutter clicks]
- [Angela grunts]
- Done. There was a great shot, Angela.
- Let's do another.
Angela, enough! I'm tired of hearing that.
You're barely self-aware anymore.
You'll get tired and just collapse.
Why do the fucking work
if it's all shit in the end?
For what? What did we climb here for?
Excuse me, I think
this photo is excellent.
With this thing in it? What's that?
- Fine, you take the shot.
- I can't let go with both hands.
- [Ivan speaks indistinctly]
- I'm in heels.
Please stop creating panic.
You drive me insane.
[tense classical music plays]
[sighs]
We were really pushing our luck.
That's why I'm focused on you.
You're holding on with one hand.
How can I be calm?
It was ten minutes of that.
[woman] I don't understand your urge
to risk your life on these heights.
Should I be proud or upset?
Right, Mom, but don't worry.
Please know I can bear this responsibility
because I'm confident in my abilities.
Listen, I talked to my friend.
There's a good opportunity for you.
It's a trading company.
You'd be a sales rep.
They might even provide a car.
Being creative may just be a hobby.
[reporter, in English]
As the COVID pandemic nears two years now,
the global transport market
takes yet another hit.
Now 43 airlines have gone bankrupt
and shut their doors.
[anxious music plays]
[Angela] During COVID,
our travel sponsors dropped us.
We lost our main source of income.
So I went for new sponsors.
I spent 14 hours a day
producing social media content.
[Ivan] We are depending on her now.
[in Russian] The TVs go
in a pyramid like this.
Shit, I need to call them.
[Ivan] But it's not our passion.
We're so far from who we used to be.
[Angela] I could feel him
becoming distant.
Reminded me of my dad.
[both speak Russian indistinctly]
[Angela] We had a small breakup
after a big fight.
[in Russian] You are my strength.
[woman whoops]
Everyone is partying and you're like,
"I'd rather be on a crane right now."
[laughs]
[Ivan, in English] If I can't get us
out from under this,
I know it will all fall apart.
- [grunts]
- [trainer speaks Russian]
[reporter 1, in English] After days
on a razor's edge, Ukraine is now
a nation at war.
Just hours ago,
Russian forces began their attack.
[reporter 2] The announcement
prompted mass hysteria
as crowds rushed
to Russia's different borders.
[protestors on TV in Russian]
Stop the war! Stop the war!
[reporter 3, in English] So far,
over 10,000 people have been arrested
for protesting
against the invasion of Ukraine.
[Angela] I'm against people dying,
against suffering.
As an artist,
you need to express yourself.
But here, everyone has to be silent.
[reporter] Russia is ramping up
its ban on information,
a court banning
both Facebook and Instagram.
The Meta platforms now officially blocked
across the country. This is...
[Angela] Now, it's either stay
and be censored, or leave.
[Ivan] If we leave, the government
might shut down the borders,
preventing us from returning.
[father, in Russian]
I don't want to push you,
but please think about my offer.
[Ivan] I'm part Ukrainian myself.
I want to be here for my family.
But it feels like no matter what I choose,
I break someone's heart.
[ethereal music plays]
[Ivan breathes heavily]
[gasps] Yeah! Ooh!
[groans]
[in Russian] Personally,
I miss our climbs together.
It was magical.
Sunsets, sunrises, don't you want that?
What I want is to earn...
to be honest.
With NFTs, we create a gallery
and sell directly to our buyers.
It'd be starting from scratch.
It's too risky.
I don't have a safety net,
someone offering me
a well-paid office job.
We can't break into NFTs overnight.
We'd need to do something grandiose.
The old stuff wouldn't cut it.
Do you remember me showing you
this tower being built in Kuala Lumpur?
[Angela] It's done?
Almost. They're finishing the spire.
["Last Goodbye"
by Eric Kinny feat. Danica Dora plays]
We have only a few months
before the security system is installed.
It'll be impossible to get in
after the tech is all up and running.
I read it'll be
the last megatall skyscraper
built for decades.
[reporter 1, in English]
Over a decade in the works,
the 118-story Merdeka
will be a towering monument
for the country.
[reporter 2] The $1.5 billion project
is soon to be complete.
[reporter 3] Merdeka 118 will tower
a staggering 2,200 feet above Asia.
[reporter 4] With its 160-meter spire,
Merdeka is a significant
milestone for mankind.
[Ivan, in Russian] We can be the first.
Targets in their sight
Running out of light
To save me...
[Angela, in Russian]
It feels like goodbye forever.
This is not forever, silly.
[sniffles]
Enough already, you're upsetting the dog.
[chuckles sadly]
- I love you.
- I love you too, Mom.
As I wait
To say my last
Goodbye
[Ivan] Let's go already.
The airport is so empty.
[Angela] Yeah.
[Ivan, in English] We used
our last money for the flight.
- [in Russian] Worried?
- A little bit.
[Ivan, in English] We left with nothing...
except a dream.
[Angela] It's insane.
This epic infinity spire
soaring above Asia.
The highest difficulty
and highest point we've ever attempted.
Say my last
[Ivan] And also the highest risk.
Goodbye
[Ivan] Malaysia is
a strict law-and-order country,
so we are prepping someplace more safe.
[Angela, in Russian]
How long since we practiced?
[Ivan] A few months already.
We need to train more often.
- [Angela] It's called a swan lift.
- A swan lift.
Incredible. I really like this pose.
- Let's try it.
- [Angela speaks indistinctly]
Time for the circus show!
[Angela hums circus music]
Let me position my hands.
- Yes. That's much better.
- [Ivan speaks indistinctly]
We're practically gymnasts.
[both laugh happily]
- If we can stay balanced.
- [squeals]
[both laugh]
[tender music plays]
[Angela laughs]
[Angela exclaims]
[hums bridal march]
It's cool, I was already engaged
in kindergarten anyway.
That engagement didn't work out.
- This will be our commitment.
- [Angela laughs]
[gently suspenseful music plays]
[grunts]
[crowd chattering indistinctly]
- [in English] I'm rooting for Brazil.
- Yeah, yeah, cool. Me too. Me too.
[Ivan, in Russian] Everyone's watching
the World Cup, including the workers.
And on the 18th is the finals.
If we climb during the match,
the guards will be distracted.
[Angela] I love how you're all fired up.
I haven't seen you like this
for a long time.
[Ivan] We need the width of the spire,
a local drone operator
to get us an aerial shot
so we can see the dimensions on top.
Yes, Dad, any extra time is spent
building the NFT collection.
Don't rush.
Vanya, I got this.
Relax your palm, like this.
Uh-huh.
[father] How many have you sold so far?
Two artworks so far, but decent money.
Things are tight right now,
but we chose our new goal, Merdeka,
in hopes it'll take us to the next level.
[musical arrangement turns epic]
[Ivan speaks indistinctly]
I talked to the drone operator.
Do you know this guy?
[Ivan] Not really.
Uh, but everyone else refused.
You wrote to a ton of people?
I only talked to those
willing to do illegal stuff.
Mm-hmm.
The fewer people who know, the better.
What did the drone guy
say about dimensions?
[Ivan] He'll try to get us the shot.
[Angela] Uh-huh.
[exclaims] My balance is off.
I almost dove forward.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
Stop, stop, stop. That hurts.
[Ivan grunts]
[both groan]
Nineteen. Twenty.
[both groan]
Our holds are too short.
And we're not even accounting
for the wind.
The drone guy is texting.
[in English] "Hey, Van,
I got more news for you."
[in Russian] In the last six months,
they caught two people.
They caught two groups.
He's still typing.
They're spending months in prison.
That's why nobody has posted from there.
There are face scanners
and security cams on every floor.
[in English] "No more information."
[in Russian] That's serious jail time.
Oh, God damn it.
[intriguing music plays]
There's facial recognition,
fingerprint scanners.
How will we get into the building?
[thunder rumbles]
[breathing heavily]
- [Ivan] What if we're arrested?
- They won't catch us.
But what if, Angela?
We always do it, like ninjas.
Consider the process, not just the result.
Okay, whatever.
[intriguing music continues]
[groans]
Kitty, you asleep?
I figured it out.
I got us breakfast. Is this a new video?
[Ivan] Yes.
Look at these downward slopes. [exclaims]
The ribs connect
the stadium to the street.
We climb that, we're inside.
[Angela] But they're like a story tall.
[Ivan] You can climb that.
Check out what the drone guy sent.
The hole in the middle
is very deep, Vanya.
There's no way,
unless we put a plank across the top.
We can only put it on this thing.
[shoppers chatter indistinctly]
It's perfect, Vanya,
a piece of scaffolding.
[Ivan] I saw scaffolding
in that Merdeka video.
The same, made of iron.
One, two, three.
Oh, no. Let me down. [grunts]
I need to stay balanced and hold my focus.
- [Ivan] At the horizon?
- I need to practice on a roof.
Now we're talking.
Merdeka will be this wide.
Our only pen from home.
That's it, a very scary square. Nightmare.
- Oh, Vanya, be very careful here.
- I got you.
I won't go backwards, only forward.
Why did you take this step just now?
[Ivan] I just had to adjust my balance.
- [Ivan chuckles] I can't explain it.
- You didn't lose balance, did you?
- [Ivan] No, I'm balanced.
- Okay. So frightening. Let's do it.
One, two, three.
Oh God, it's terrifying. [exclaims]
One, two, three.
My legs are dipping.
[Ivan grunts]
[both grunt]
- Fuck.
- Don't worry.
When there's nothing below,
I feel like I'm falling forward.
It's very scary.
It's not the same on the edge of a drop.
[Ivan] How's it going to be on Merdeka?
I'll have to calm you down
a thousand times.
[Angela] Honestly, I'm not sure
about Merdeka anymore.
[eerie music plays]
[Ivan] Yeah, it'll be way harder.
[Angela] So far,
this feels like total madness.
Whoa, whoa, Vanya.
Do you remember Pasha from my old crew?
[Ivan] Pasha fell?
- [Angela] Yeah.
- Damn.
[Angela] I saw your post
that you had a fall?
You're wearing a compression brace now?
[Pasha] Yeah, I crashed
through the roof of a hotel.
[sighs] That's terrible.
[Pasha] From the old crew,
sadly, most are gone now.
[Angela] What do you mean, "gone"?
[Pasha] I mean they died off one by one.
They're all dead now?
Yes, all of them.
- Pogrebov?
- The bald one, yes.
He's gone.
[eerie music intensifies]
Looks real scary, Vanya.
I don't agree.
There'll be the shock from the height
and you're holding me.
I have to trust you completely
and let go of all self-control,
give all control to you.
I've always stood
on my own feet or my own hands.
This time, I can't depend on myself.
Have I dropped you yet? No, I haven't.
[Angela] I feel very weak.
I have to splash some water on my face.
- All right.
- [Angela speaks indistinctly]
[Angela] Hold my phone.
[pulsing sinister music plays]
[Ivan] You aren't
moving confidently, babe.
[Angela] Don't distract me.
Vanya, I can't go any further.
Is everything okay?
That's it. My body's paralyzed.
I'll sit here.
Okay, wait, let me go get that shot.
Vanya, be careful, please. I'm so scared.
I don't know how I'm going to get back.
[Ivan] Okay, I'm coming to you now.
Stay calm.
- [Ivan speaks indistinctly]
- I can't even move my legs. I'm stuck.
[tense music plays]
[Angela breathing rapidly]
[Angela sobs]
[breathes deeply]
Wait.
- [sighs] I'm trying to calm down.
- It's okay. Take your time.
[sobs]
Don't look down. Look up.
- Fuck.
- Well done, well done.
I can't sit like this any longer.
Where should I go next?
This position is uncomfortable.
I can't take your hand, I can't do it.
Now it's even less comfortable.
What should I do?
[breathing rapidly]
It's okay. Calm down.
Don't panic.
[Angela] Wait, wait.
Can you pull that leg out carefully?
[Ivan] Done.
[Angela] At least I'm sitting
on my butt now.
[Ivan] Mm-hmm.
[Angela] Shit, my knees are shaking.
I'll slide on my butt,
like at a playground.
[Ivan] Okay.
[Angela] Don't film me in this pose.
I don't know what's going on with me.
[Ivan] How do you feel?
Fine. Maybe it was a caffeine overdose.
I had two coffees this morning.
Do you really think
caffeine is the reason?
I don't know what it could be.
It became so narrow,
I just couldn't go on.
Then let's not do climbs
like this anymore.
Something serious
could happen the next time.
[ethereal melancholic music plays]
[Angela, in English] All this prepping
and planning, the waiting and thinking.
I want to climb now,
before the panic comes back.
[Ivan] You have to be 100% sure
on rooftops.
Panic attacks on heights.
This is like a wake-up call.
[in Russian] It's just, I worry about you.
I worry
because you disconnect from reality.
- So what? I have it under control.
- I'm scared for you.
Let me protect you.
[laughs] It's always the same.
You start stressing out and it turns...
[babbles]...into a total circus.
We'll never resolve this part.
It won't stop until we stop rooftopping.
- You are probably right.
- It'll never change. It never has.
What do you need to stop rooftopping?
You want me to stop rooftopping?
That's what you really want, honestly?
The end is near, yeah.
I think it's time to wrap it up soon.
So you honestly want me
to stop climbing roofs?
Yes.
It's the first time
I've heard that from you.
You're for real?
Of course. I'm super worried about you.
[laughs]
It's not funny.
[bittersweet music plays]
Fine, I'll stop climbing tomorrow.
- No, not tomorrow. Let's do Merdeka.
- Ah... [speaks indistinctly]
Film the NFT and then, that's it.
Let's stop.
We're talking complete bullshit now.
[bittersweet music intensifies]
[Angela] For the relationship,
he's willing to sacrifice
what he loves most.
But when he's overprotective,
he holds me back.
Say it again?
I'm just saying he is trying to limit me.
Oh, I see.
Well, I've always lived
by what my own mind advised,
and I don't regret a thing.
Angela, nobody knows you
better than yourself.
[Angela, in English] I refuse to return
to Moscow and have a plain, boring life.
Mom was super talented,
and now is wasting away
in some little village.
Dad became just some sort
of animal handler.
No one will remember them
when they are gone.
When somebody is talked about,
they live on.
I want my work to live on after I'm gone.
[Ivan, in Russian] Careful, Angel.
Go super slow.
Fuck, these rods are thin. [grunts]
Why are you grabbing there?
Give me your hand, Angela.
I prefer doing it myself.
Don't you trust me?
Vanya, Vanya, please, for real.
You're getting on my nerves.
I told you not to constantly pester me
on climbs.
- I'm worried about you.
- You shouldn't be, Vanya.
Don't panic.
[slow, majestic music plays]
- [Ivan speaks indistinctly]
- Huh?
[Ivan] I'm just looking for the angle.
Oh, that works.
[Angela] So windy.
[Ivan] Stay there. That's it. Uh-huh.
Uh-huh. Stay, stay, stay.
- [metal clangs distantly]
- [walkie-talkie chatters faintly]
[Angela shushing]
[shushing]
[door squeaks]
[man yells in Thai] Hey, stop! Security!
You're trespassing. Stop!
- [guard continues shouting]
- [Ivan exclaims]
[in Russian] Go, go, go!
[Angela mutters unintelligibly]
[Ivan breathing heavily]
[Angela] Myself, myself.
- [Angela exclaims and groans]
- [thuds]
[Ivan] Yourself, huh?
[Angela pants]
[clicks tongue]
Uh...
So I had a small accident.
Uh, I hurt my hand after a fall.
Doctor says three weeks to heal.
I hope it heals sooner.
I'm a little slow, still on painkillers.
They put metal rods in.
Definitely unpleasant.
[cat meows]
[cat mewling]
- [Ivan, in English] How much?
- [woman speaks indistinctly]
[Ivan in Thai] Thank you.
[Angela, in Russian] Thanks.
[Ivan grunts softly]
[thunder rumbles]
[Ivan] I think we need to slow down
and postpone Merdeka for a beat.
[Angela] You postpone whatever you want.
I don't need to postpone anything.
- [Ivan] You have a serious injury there.
- Doctor said it'll heal in three weeks.
- I know what my body needs.
- You're behaving like a little girl.
I won't let you go until you heal properly
and we train thoroughly.
It's dangerous, Angela.
You "won't let me"? Are you my parent?
What do you want, Angela?
You don't let me care for you.
It's not caring for me. It's limiting me.
All I did was try to help.
- Thanks for your help. That's why I fell.
- Because of me?
"Let me help you, let me help you."
That's why I fell.
[Ivan] You fell
because you don't trust me.
Don't touch me.
Until you start trusting me,
I won't do Merdeka with you.
It's me who won't do Merdeka with you.
- Stop telling me what I can't do.
- Mm-hmm.
Enough with the filming, guys.
If you don't trust me,
feel free to go on your own.
- [Angela] Fine, I will then. I will.
- Feel free!
[thunder rumbles]
[melancholic classical music plays]
- Hi, Vanya.
- Hi, Dad.
[father speaks Russian]
- [Ivan] Oh.
- Been a while. How are you?
It goes well. It's more or less fine.
Fine.
[father] You don't sound sure.
Where's Angela?
She rejected your help, your support.
This is her decision.
Without trust,
any relationship is bound to fail.
Maybe you should pause your relationship.
And be done with this project.
Maybe you should come back?
[Ivan] Go back?
[father] Mm-hmm.
What do you think?
[ethereal music plays]
[sinister musical flourish plays]
[Ivan and Angela speak indistinctly on TV]
My focus has shifted
from my safety to her safety.
I'm responsible for her.
She's a part of me.
[Ivan, in English] Angela,
her fire is what makes her great.
But when she gets her mind
set on something,
it's frightening.
[musical arrangement turns brooding]
It's not just a spark in her.
It becomes a whole wildfire.
[Angela, in Russian]
He's smothering my fire.
He told me that I'm losing control,
that I'm getting carried away.
[woman] Angela, you posted
a caption on your social media,
"No limit, no control."
Yeah, so what?
Maybe he's right to hold you back,
pulling you back down to earth...
[tender music plays]
[woman] ...while you bring him to life.
Maybe you both need the other for balance?
[Angela, in English] Hi.
Where are you from?
[man, in Russian] We are from Ukraine.
First day of the war, we just...
[mimics whooshing]
[Angela] Same here.
I'm also from a circus family.
Will your daughter
also work in the circus?
Up to her. I just want her safe.
What happened to your arm?
- Or is that just for style?
- Yeah.
What's the scar from, circus?
A knitting accident.
But honestly?
[laughs]
- I...
- You fell?
Let's go to the circus.
[soft, hopeful music plays]
[crowd cheers]
[Angela, in English] My happiest
childhood memory is of the circus.
[inaudible]
I thought it was because the performers
were applauded for their success.
But I realized it was because the circus
is where my parents were together.
Before my dad left.
Maybe relationships should be
like in the aerial show.
There's the flyer and the catcher.
The flyer leads the couple into the skies.
Nobody focuses on the catcher,
but he performs the main function.
He is in charge of safety,
keeping them grounded.
I cannot do this alone.
[Angela gasps]
[in Russian] Vanya's here.
[ethereal music plays]
[chuckles]
How's your hand?
It didn't fall off.
Did you come here to climb
or to talk me out of it?
Before you, I thought rooftopping
was for personal achievement.
Uh...
And when I met you,
I realized that it's an art form.
And I was inspired by you.
You and I have begun to create
very beautiful things.
And I'm very grateful.
So let's make a deal.
[Angela laughs] I don't like conditions.
I think you'll like my terms.
No matter what craziness we face,
we come together,
rather than turning away.
And I promise
I'll always be right there with you.
And on Merdeka too?
Including Merdeka.
[laughs]
And then we're done, right?
[laughs and gasps]
[groovy upbeat music plays]
[Ivan] Security cam. I see a camera.
There's security around the perimeter.
Angela, cover the camera.
Security has a weak spot here,
but they're smart, there's a camera.
We'll climb up this rib thingy.
Then we'll circle around on the terrace.
So we'll pass above security.
Keep it casual.
Let's go higher for a better view.
Then slip past workers
to enter the mall site.
[Angela] We'll go to the third floor.
Then we navigate across the mall...
[Ivan] Mm-hmm.
[Angela]...to the bridge to Merdeka.
[Ivan] The bridge is the hardest part.
Hopefully, the guard will be busy
watching the football match.
Whoa, a mighty storm's brewing.
[Angela] The workers are on the mall roof,
rain or shine.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
- Anything to hide our faces.
- [Angela laughs]
[Ivan, in English] Uh, do you have small?
How much is this?
[in Russian] Someone's coming.
Stealth level, supreme.
There are cameras in the elevators.
The elevator cannot be used at all.
The entire area with lights on
is active construction.
If we zigzag between the staircases,
the workers can't track us.
[Angela] Then we enter the spire.
[Ivan] We saw some stairs here.
They should go all the way up.
[drone whirring]
Let's fly.
God, the wind is so strong.
Here, a perfect platform.
This scaffolding is perfect.
[reporter] Only two more days
in the countdown
to the much-anticipated World Cup final
between France and Argentina.
And then the longest ladder ever.
Plus, there's the trapdoor to the roof.
We break open the trapdoor,
and Merdeka is ours.
- Easy.
- [laughs]
Easy.
[suspenseful music plays]
[Ivan, in English] Right before a climb,
physical ability is less important
than inner belief.
We have to shut off inner fears.
Now, it all relies on trusting each other.
[in Russian] We have so much to pack.
[Angela speaks indistinctly]
[Ivan, in English] GoPros overheat fast
in this humidity,
so we pack four with extra batteries.
[Angela] And we need night vision
to see in low light.
Plus, it shows us
infrared security cameras.
[Ivan] With so much tactical gear,
we can only pack
a little bit of food and water.
[in Russian] All tools in the backpack,
including lockpicks.
Right, got all the tools.
[Angela, in English] We'll be invisible,
in all black, like ninjas.
[in Russian] Countdown
to the World Cup kickoff?
It's 10:30 p.m.
Match starts in 30 minutes.
- You're not nervous, are you?
- [Angela] No, I'm fine.
[Ivan speaks indistinctly]
[Ivan, in Russian] Let's climb this one.
Come here.
Put your foot here.
[Angela mutters]
[Ivan] One, two, three.
You're doing great.
Argentina, France. 0-0.
[fans cheering]
[Ivan whispers indistinctly]
[continues whispering]
- [distant cheering]
- Oh, you hear that? Fans going crazy.
[wild cheering]
Oh, it was Leo Messi on a penalty kick.
The guard's booth is below us right now.
- [Angela] Let's not get caught here.
- Yeah, I see workers in the mall.
You see any cameras?
Careful, there's a guard.
Watch out, a guard with a flashlight.
Let's speed through here.
[Ivan whispers indistinctly]
[Angela] Let's put on the hard hats.
It's time to change outfits.
[Ivan whispers] Be super quiet.
This floor is perfect.
There won't be cameras here.
The workers aren't even looking at us.
[Angela] That's the bridge there.
[Ivan] Maximum quietness here.
There she is.
[wonderstruck music plays]
Let's touch Merdeka.
There's the guard's desk.
He's not there.
[Angela] Watching the match. You knew it.
[Ivan] Just be super quiet.
[gate clangs softly]
That was easy.
Quick and quiet.
The match only goes 30 more minutes.
[suspenseful music plays]
Yeah, good disguise.
- [Angela] This is exhausting.
- Let's rest here.
[Angela whispers indistinctly]
[Ivan] The match is still tied,
going into extra time.
That's 15 more minutes.
Clear. No cameras.
You hear that?
Match is going into penalties.
Even more time.
[crowd cheers]
[cheering wildly]
[mysterious music plays]
[Ivan] Nice spot.
We need to save energy for the spire.
Hour and a half until sunrise.
No point going up sooner.
We'll need to find the scaffolding too.
[Ivan whispers indistinctly]
We'll do it all at 5:00 a.m.
[Ivan] What's that?
I've never seen this thing before.
A motion detector?
Camera.
Fuck. A camera.
[tense music plays]
Shit.
- Was it on?
- I think so.
What now?
Fuck.
Ah, shit.
I should have had my mask on.
- [distant clang]
- You hear that?
Listen.
[faint whirring]
- Elevators are moving.
- Yeah.
They're sending security.
We're definitely spotted.
Shit.
[Angela] You hear workers?
[men speak distantly]
[Ivan] Sounds like it.
- They're really close.
- [man exclaims in distance]
[Ivan] Go. Go. Go.
[Angela mutters]
What's our plan here?
- [Ivan] Shit.
- They're coming this way.
Great idea.
Then we'll push it back once we're inside.
Fuck.
[clanging in distance]
[power tools whirring]
I don't know how we get out of here.
[whispers] Our chances are low.
With this heat and zero water left.
[distant hammering]
[man exclaims nearby]
[walkie-talkie chatters indistinctly]
[softly] It's so dusty.
[Ivan coughs]
- [coughs]
- Careful, don't cough or sneeze.
[coughs]
The dust?
I keep thinking of those prisons.
We just need to wait it out.
We need water
or our fevers will keep rising.
[Angela] It sounds like they left.
[Ivan] Let's go for it.
- [whirring]
- Is that the elevator?
Fuck, it's the night shift.
[men chattering]
[Ivan, in English]
I see her body is giving up.
We have pounding headaches, rising fevers,
and it's hard to breathe.
I have to risk it.
[gently suspenseful music plays]
[swallowing]
[in Russian] Vanya, the caveman,
procured us water.
[in English] I see
that even in his weakest moment,
this man will always take care of me.
[distant clanging]
[Ivan, in Russian]
They're on the other side.
Listen, all the way over there.
[suspenseful music intensifies]
[Angela] We'll be quieter
in just our socks.
[men speak nearby]
[Ivan] It's open.
Oh, man. We're so lucky.
- [Angela] That's the top floor?
- Yeah, 118.
These are the other rooftoppers.
[Angela] Yeah, in handcuffs.
[Ivan] This is fucked up.
[softly] Let's try the other staircase.
Another locked gate.
And another camera.
Fuck this.
God damn it. We're fucked.
That's it, we retreat altogether.
[Angela] Wait, maybe it's just a chain.
[Ivan] You want me to break it on camera?
It's a fail, a complete fail.
[sighs]
[brooding electronic music plays]
This is a disaster.
Everything's locked.
[Angela, in English]
I see that he's lost courage.
I think, maybe, it's my turn to lead us.
[hopeful music plays]
So I tried to channel hope.
[in Russian] Any other option?
[Ivan] I honestly have no idea.
[Angela] Maybe we can find
a door to break?
We need to call it quits, Angela.
[Angela] We've never given up before.
Let's not start now.
[Ivan] It's over. The climb is over.
[Angela] There's always a way.
There's always a way.
And you always find it, babe.
[musical arrangement turns tense]
[Ivan] I remember something
from the building plans.
The top floor has that room
with an exit to a fire escape.
[Angela] We can pick the lock.
[clicking]
[deep click and thud]
[Ivan] You're like my second intuition.
It's the spire. The spire.
[Angela] This is where
we saw the platform.
[Ivan] I see scaffolding there.
I'll go get it. I'll try to cut one loose.
[tense, pulsing music plays]
[Angela] Ah, super.
Brilliant.
Vanya, we're kicking ass.
[Ivan] Still a long way to go.
This is the craziest shit we've ever done.
[Angela] Uh-huh.
[Angela] My headache is worse.
I'm so tired.
We've been on this ladder
16 minutes already.
I'm so hungry and tired.
[sighs]
My lungs are full of dust.
I can barely move. Holy shit.
[Ivan] Not there yet.
Another hundred fifty feet.
[Angela] Seriously?
Will this Merdeka ever end?
[sighs]
[exclaims]
I almost just fell.
[sighs heavily]
I can't climb anymore, Vanya.
[Ivan] Another hundred feet
and the spire will be ours.
[Angela] My arms are killing me.
[Ivan] Babe!
It's open.
- [Angela] It's open?
- It's open.
[wondrous music plays]
Holy shit, babe.
[whirring]
[Angela] Fuck, it's so shaky and so small.
- [Ivan] But it's sturdy.
- [exclaims]
I don't see how
we'll do the lift now, Vanya.
[Angela gasps softly]
[despondent classical music plays]
- Terrifying?
- [Ivan] Not too bad.
Fuck, it drops all the way down.
Crazy scary.
Vanya, I'm too scared
even to stand on this.
I'm terrified.
My knees are shaking.
Babe, it's six feet long.
- It's like an endless tunnel down.
- I see it. There's no way I'll drop you.
[Angela, in English]
I'm imagining the worst.
If Vanya stumbles,
I fall into the spire hole...
or over the edge,
into the abyss.
- [in Russian] I won't do it. I'm out.
- You don't even want to try?
No, because it'll be me
hanging over the edge.
And it'll be me that's holding you.
I've never dropped you in practice, never.
We've never done a lift
after such an exhausting climb,
with no sleep.
Why are you being so negative?
Because I'm tired and anxious.
Can I release this emotion?
[Ivan] Of course.
[Angela gasps]
[sobs]
- Are you afraid?
- Yes.
Kitty, you know I'd never drop you.
[Angela] But why go through this hell?
I'm super scared.
[Ivan] You want to call it off?
I don't know.
[Angela breathes deeply]
[Ivan, in English]
It's extreme mental pressure.
Our job is to balance each other.
[in Russian] Okay, come here.
Yes, we've been climbing
for over thirty hours.
Yes, it's been extremely hard.
But look at this beauty around us.
No one else has seen this view.
[tender music plays]
The forecast was
for rain and clouds today.
It's been storming
the whole time we've been here.
They say there are no miracles...
but here's one.
Not a cloud, no wind at all.
[Angela] That's true, very strange.
[Ivan] This isn't an accident.
[musical arrangement turns
grand and majestic]
[Angela, in English]
He helps me see clearly.
When I calm down, I find strength.
- [in Russian] Just rely on me now.
- Okay.
[Ivan] Start.
Three, two...
Wait, I'm not ready, I'm not ready.
Remember this moment.
Remember this moment.
- Yeah.
- Ready.
Three, two, one.
[whispers] Don't worry.
Don't worry. I got you.
Let's fly, kitty.
[musical arrangement turns epic]
Hold, hold, hold, hold.
I'll never drop you for anything.
[tender music plays]
- Not scared anymore?
- Yes, I'm fine.
[Angela, in English] I felt so safe
in your hands.
In that moment, all my fears vanished.
This climb, it's taught me to trust you.
["Stand On The Word"
by The Joubert Singers plays]
[Ivan] When you fell, I lifted you.
When I fell, you lifted me.
[in Russian] We did it. [kisses]
We made it, babe.
[Ivan, in English]The roof is full
of workers, but of course,
what we know is that
no one questions you on the way out.
[Angela] No one will know
we were there until we post,
once we've left the country.
We take pride in clean work.
[in Russian] We made it, babe.
I can't believe it.
Yeah!
[jet engines roar]
[in English] Once we posted the videos,
they had a life of their own.
Works
That's how
The good lord
He works
That's how he works...
[reporter speaks in Malay]
[reporter 2] Malaysian police
have opened an investigation
on extreme climbers Angela Nikolau
and Ivan Beerkus for trespassing.
[reporter 3] ...Malaysian government is
claiming that it's fake news.
They're saying it's photoshopped.
[reporter 4] But the Russian climbers
have provided proof.
[Angela] And boom, our craziest NFbecame our biggest sale yet.
And it was shown in Times Square
in New York City...
That's how the good lord works...
[Angela] ...the largest art gallery
we could ever hope for.
[in Russian] Son, you chose
a unique life path.
Yeah. Thank you.
And you achieved what you set out to do.
- Thank you. [chuckles]
- We're very proud of you, son.
Though it's wrong for a mother to say,
I agree and I'm proud of you.
That's so important for me to hear.
Thank you.
[Angela, in English] After a while,
I was able to visit Grandma back home.
[Angela shouts]
- [grandmother exclaims]
- [Angela laughs]
[in Russian] I didn't know
you were coming.
This is a gift for you, Grandma.
[gasps]
Hearing aids! Are they expensive?
Let's try them out.
Whisper something to me.
[chuckles]
[softly] I want a sandwich.
I love you too.
- [screams and laughs]
- [laughs]
Thank you, darling!
[Ivan, in English]
We are able to travel again.
[inaudible]
[laughing]
[Angela] We are the modern-day version
of a traveling circus.
Coming soon to a city near you.
[squeals]
[Angela screams and laughs]
That's how the good lord works
That's how he works
[Angela] Love is like heights.
The fear never goes away.
You just get better at facing it.
Stand on the word
The word of God
Stand on the word
The word of God
Stand on the word
The word of God...
[Angela] I thought Vanya was put
in my life to teach me to skywalk.
But now I see that skywalking
was put into my life...
to teach me how to love.
["Last Goodbye"
by Eric Kinny feat. Danica Dora plays]
Shadows in the sky
Footsteps in the night
Behind me
Targets in their sight
Running out of light
To save me
Red moon on the rise
You say your last goodnight
While I
Keep getting by