Watch: French paraglider’s fun (and moving) video for his father
Aerial alpine views accompany an inspiring reminder to listen to your inner voice
Jean-Baptiste Chandelier took up paragliding after both of his parents died (image for illustration only)
nicoescobarphotography/Shutterstock
A French paraglider has created a moving and inspiring tribute video for his father, showcasing breathtaking views of France’s mountain scenery.
Jean-Baptiste Chandelier directed, edited and performed in the three-minute video titled, Why I Fly, which was shared online on November 17.
He made the video in memory of his parents, who feature in a dedication at the end of the film.
Jean-Baptiste was 10 when his father Xavier Chandelier died in 1996 in a helicopter crash in the Alps while on a rescue mission in the Massif des Écrins mountain range. His mother, Martine Chandelier, died suddenly in 2003 when he was 18.
“If your life were to end tomorrow, what would the voice buried in your chest say to you? Mine told me to fly. And my parents, when they left, gave me wings,” says Jean-Baptiste in the video.
Jean-Baptiste took up paragliding the year after his mother’s death, driven by the realisation that life is too short and dreams must be pursued rather than procrastinated.
Since then, he has become well-known for his aerial acrobatic videos - some of which have several million views - filmed in France and around the world.
Some of the main locations seen in the Why I Fly video include the town of Briançon, the nearby Serre-Chevalier ski resort, and the Serre-Ponçon lake.
