Looking UP

Synopsis

Diagnosed with RP at the age of 20 while serving in the military, Eitan Armon faces the reality of a life without eyesight. Retinitis Pigmentosa, or RP, is a very rare and incurable genetic disease that gradually causes blindness over time. With about 5% of his central vision remaining,Eitan decides to challenge himself and ascend Yosemite’s daunting El Capitan. Refusing to be limited by his limitations, Eitan’s journey demonstrates that life has
endless possibilities for those who approach it with positivity and resilience.

The portaledge of El Capitan is where we find Eitan, camping out 1500 feet above
the Yosemite Valley floor, eating peanut butter and taking in the view with the little
central vision he still has. Eitan’s journey is told through filmed scenes of Eitan —
ascending one of the hardest pitches on El Capitan; maneuvering around NY with a
white cane; hanging out with his girlfriend Tamar; undergoing medical treatment with
his doctors at the University of Iowa; discussing positive psychology with his
professor and mentor Tal Ben Shachar; exploring advances in the science of stem
cell retinal transplantation at the Institute for Vision Research; meeting with RP
patients who have more advanced disease; and learning to rock-climb. Throughout
Eitan’s journey, we come to appreciate the strength of character of a young man
who has been dealt a bad hand and refuses to sink into despair. The film
showcases Eitan’s resilience, great sense of humor, and grit. In
LookingUP, Eitan lets go of everything he can’t control and focuses on what he can.