On the Edge of Freedom

Imagine climbing up to the top of the antenna of a skyscraper and standing several hundred meters above the ground - without a parachute. This is what a group of death-defying Russian 'roofers' do in a quest for an adrenaline rush, wild selfies and a new away to express themselves in protest against an authoritarian society. The group is headed by a young woman who, armed with a GoPro camera, takes us up to the very top. And you are guaranteed to break out in a sweat and hold your breath when she remotely controls her drone camera from the top of a crane several hundred meters above the ground. The phenomenon is known as 'roofing' and 'urban exploring', and is taking the world by storm, driven by YouTube and Instagram. But even though the youths in the conflict-ridden Russian society themselves choose to confront fear through their actions, the realities further down don't just diesappear.