Must Watch: 'Afterlife' with Brandon Semenuk

Feb 6, 2024 at 7:49
by Sarah Moore  

bigquotesIn the heart of Alberta's flatlands lies a hidden realm where prehistoric giants once roamed. We present you with "Afterlife," a mountain bike film set against the backdrop of this jurassic landscape. Take a ride with us through this strange and unfamiliar earth!—Red Bull Bike

Rider: Brandon Semenuk
Editing: Isaac Wallen
Cinematography: Isaac Wallen, Nic Genovese
Additional Cinematography: Anthony Vitale
Builders: Evan Young, Justin Wyper, Kane Boyce
Photography: Toby Cowley

Toby Cowley Red Bull Content Pool
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Author Info:
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Member since Mar 30, 2011
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183 Comments
  • 207 5
 Best thing to come outta Alberta since crude oil! Killer to see AB get love from the best. Alberta Rampage lettts go.
  • 70 0
 Drumhell'er high water!
  • 45 0
 @geoffcalv: I'm annoyed I didn't think of this for the subhead.
  • 11 8
 You forgot about Pilsner Beer and Brocket radio. I have spent numerous days driving through the coulees thinking it is mini Utah. Glad to see someone ride there!!
  • 13 0
 @geoffcalv: I think it's Dinosaur Provincial Park (or just outside of it. I can't imagine they'd be digging in a UNESCO World Heritage site). There are thanks to A&E Motorsports in Brooks and the Patricia Hotel, which is just outside of the DPP.
  • 4 0
 @jsnfschr: I'm betting it is where they do the Red Bull Outliers Enduro.
  • 19 4
 @slickwilly1: Y'know I'm no cancel culture guy but I'm happy if we all leave Brocket radio in the past
  • 1 0
 @Andykmn: Which was right outside Dinosaur park, near Patrica and brooks Smile
  • 1 0
 @acdownhill: yes that is correct.
  • 7 0
 If anyone wants to ride some badlands, Redcliff is a pretty good area.
www.trailforks.com/region/redcliff

It isn't as expansive as the DPP or Drumheller areas, but there are some pretty great trails built there.
  • 3 0
 @jsnfschr: You get it though right, like @geoffcalv comment was pretty awesome.
  • 2 0
 @Andykmn: used to be Xtinction hard enduro, and it kicked my ass all over the place!
I was DNF twice....Still on my bucket list
  • 8 1
 Super stoked the world champ knows the various parts of Canada.
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: Oh, without question. Top notch. Ha ha
  • 4 4
 Friggin love 'Berta
  • 4 0
 And we all need 170mm travel bikes for our local trails.
  • 1 0
 this, and Nickleback
  • 158 1
 Thank god for the editor that finally decided not to use sub 1second cuts! Wallride to tailwhip is beautiful, the backflip can wearing a DJ lid was huge.
  • 22 0
 backflip candy bar*, to make it even crazier
  • 10 98
flag FuzzyL FL (Feb 6, 2024 at 11:23) (Below Threshold)
 You mean there‘s videos with even worse cuts? Found that one already horrible. And every trick from four perspectives… not my cup of tea.
  • 38 1
 @FuzzyL: I needed multiple slo-mo angles to see everything that was going down. Ridiculous.
  • 54 3
 @FuzzyL: no trolls allowed on Semenuk edits sorry bye.
  • 5 0
 @FuzzyL: Don't watch anything filmed/directed by Clay Porter then!
  • 2 0
 @nikifor88: are you fckin kiddin me !? What the hell you doing here buddy? Nikifor eighty eight heck ya!
  • 2 0
 @szczeki: who is this
  • 78 1
 This is an amazing edit. Too many of Semenuk's edits are 1 second rapid cuts with hyper zoomed in shaky shots like it's filmed by J. J. Abrams. This has long cuts showing the run in and the whole trick to landing, multiple angles to see it, smooth camera work. And it showed him crashing! Overly perfect edits with the most precise tricks/landings/bike control make them so impressive it's almost unrelatable. This is a new side of Brandon, I hope we see more
  • 24 0
 agree, but at the other extreme you've got the oneshot film, which i think is one of the best things i've ever seen www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ud5T5I4XcA
  • 3 0
 @johnny2shoes: that was still extremely well produced. Clean and clear and under control. No frizzy fast cuts.
  • 1 0
 @johnny2shoes: That ones all time.
  • 1 0
 @johnny2shoes: One of my all time faves. I remember seeing that as part of the UnReal premiere. Blew my mind how smooth that was.
  • 3 1
 His previous releases just kept getting worse and worse with the hyper-zoom jump-cuts to the point they were getting borderline unwatchable. This one is refreshing.
  • 2 1
 @johnny2shoes: I totally agree, that is one of the best segments of all time. But it is exactly that, a segment. Part of a larger mountain bike film (and one of the best I might add) and not a stand alone edit which I would categorize differently.
  • 80 4
 Video of the year candidate already a month in
  • 4 0
 Is it still January in the us of a, then? Razz
  • 4 0
 @noisette: endless January
  • 69 1
 Burly old school freeride moves. Techy slopestyle moves. Scenic moves on pretty landscapes. Semenuk really knows how to appeal to all manner of bike dorks.
  • 3 0
 im a nerd, not a dork. a dork is a whale penis. I'm also a cetacean nerd.
  • 64 2
 How does this guy find the time?

Also, I love how the Rally media talks about his mtb accomplishments as though they're his quaint side-hustle.
  • 38 17
 How does he find the time? It’s literally his job.
  • 82 1
 @TheR: Professional rally racing is also his job. He's maintaining two different skill sets at world class levels. For most people, it's a full time job to stay in peak condition in a single discipline.

Hence 'how does he find the time'.
  • 7 0
 @jayacheess: from what I’ve gleaned from podcasts and interviews he actually doesn’t spend much time driving. Sounds like he goes for the races and some light testing in the off season
  • 6 0
 He sacked off Rampage to film this according to a recent interview.
  • 3 1
 @chrisclifford: Yes, this kind of exactly my point. The man is exceptional at what he puts his mind to.

He 'finds the time' by being both naturally gifted, and an extremely hard and efficient worker.
  • 6 0
 @jayacheess: Yeah, sorry if that came across as a disparagement of your comment. I didn’t mean it like that. I just think it’s cool that where most of us sometimes have to find the time to ride, he doesn’t. It’s what he does.

And as for balancing the two, he’s got a head start on the bike, so if he decides he needs to concentrate on racing, maybe he can and set the riding aside for a minute. I don’t know. He seems to be doing great at both.
  • 2 0
 @TheR: I doubt he needs to dedicate more time to Rally than he is. He's naturally talented and the only factory driver in that championship. He'll the win the title every year until he decides to stop racing
  • 2 0
 One thing that is amazing is BS has been pushing riding so far for so long (first rampage win was 2008!), yet he rarely seems to be injured.
  • 1 0
 @chrisclifford: this is such a mindset for racing underpressure that he perfectly could try at DH or EN one day
  • 58 7
 Well that’s video of the year locked up! Might even be Brandon’s best part ever?
  • 51 1
 Gneiss. This rocks.
  • 3 0
 I enjoyed this very much
  • 19 0
 Holy schist! Hope the vid of the year judges don't take this for granite.
  • 6 0
 Some of those tricks looked pretty tuff.
  • 3 0
 Plenty of time left on the year for this vid to loess out.
  • 3 0
 @Drewtini: Why are you acting so silty?
  • 5 0
 @ColinBulloch: My sediment exactly.
  • 3 0
 It’s like a basalt on my senses
  • 36 1
 Not too bad for a rally driver!
  • 23 0
 You know, I occasionally pull one of my old Dirt magazines out of the cupboard, and I am instantly transported into a different era, a time period I have amazing memories off. It's not often we realise, or in fact are able to, the impact of what's happening right now in front of eyes on the future. I watched this and thought of many people who are now old or dead, past their prime, but their work has stood the test of time and shaped the future. Redford, McRae, Bevin, Senna...people from completely different parallels of life yet all shapers of the future. Sometimes people do this in imperceptible ways, other times its overt and brash. This edit will not only stand the test of time from a creative and artistic view point, but also for its emotional temerity - the landscape, riding and soundtrack all work to make this one of the best things I've ever seen - and make me dream about riding my bike. Quiet yet loud. The cinematography is what all filmmakers dream of; light, angles, location and subject all clicking. It's incredible. Superlatives fail me.

Also, I'm a cynical old f*ck and can't believe I just wrote such a word salad.

TLDR version: That was MINT.
  • 22 0
 That was worth him missing Rampage for. He goes into a bit of detail on the leg work and permission aspect of this and some of his other parts on the gypsy tales podcast recently. It's a really interesting listen.
  • 24 0
 Semenuk is the shit
  • 19 0
 Caveman barspin? Where does he find the time?
  • 1 1
 Where he find that idea to do it.So sick!!!
  • 17 0
 When are they gonna figure how to film him sailing over himself driving his rally car
  • 15 0
 I love everything about it.
  • 4 3
 The song choice is spot on.
  • 5 1
 Could have had some RAA for the second song I thought.
  • 1 0
 @freeriderayward: thought they had to do it as soon as I saw the location. My only disappointment with the edit..
  • 15 0
 GOAT
  • 11 1
 Incredible stuff. A new standard. Kinda crazy him and team can go out and dig those booters into/ amongst those beautiful sedimentary features. UK environmentalists would be loosing their minds if they did it over here. I guess it just shows how much of that landscape you have in North America. Jelly.
  • 7 0
 Outside of private land (which obviously would have its own challenges), this would be very difficult-to-impossible to do in the US as well.
  • 13 3
 @pmhobson: so much for freedom, eh?
  • 7 0
 I think about this every time I see a freeride edit in the desert. Don't bust the crust!
  • 4 1
 There aren't very many places like that in Canada. To be honest it made me wince seeing that landscape carved up to build bike jumps. A bit like defacing art.

Not to be a bummer in these comments full of people who loved the video. I did too, the videography was gorgeous. Hopefully they cleaned up / reclaimed what they built for this as much as possible.
  • 4 0
 @p1ne: I had the exact same reaction. Unquestionably incredible videography showcasing riding that only a handful of people in a generation could dream of doing.

But water resources & hydro/geomorphology is my thing. Those hillsides are kind of sacred to me. I'm not raising a stink about it. I have faith that they treated the land well. But I do hope that this video *doesn't* inspire people to go tear up similar landscapes w/o considering the impacts.
  • 2 0
 @pmhobson: Word. I'm a geologist, so I guess these videos featuring landscapes brings us out of the woodwork.

For mtb videos featuring geology porn and a (slightly) less impactful use of the landscape, I really liked the Kurt Sorge - Camp Hane video.
  • 11 0
 Is 4:46 a world's first? I've seen windshield wipers before, but I can't remember seeing one where the downwhip goes first. Has Emil already done one?
  • 21 0
 Semenuk already did one in his LAPSE part, 8 years ago
  • 4 0
 @Flowjoe: oh wow I was way off
  • 5 0
 I expect downside into regular is significantly harder too! As you don't have the momentum of the take-off to assists the regular rotation.
  • 2 0
 Matt Sparks did the first one on a BMX in 07 or 08.
  • 6 0
 RWilly has also done this during a 720 triple front flip bike flip
  • 1 0
 @Wamprat: actually 3 downwhip off the take off is easier the hardest part of the trick would be the axis and final tailwhip as your doing an overrotated tailwhip as well as having the axis to land
  • 1 0
 @raffymiller: That probably depends if you're goofy or not. It would be easier for some but never for me. When you're doing both in the same spin though I still think throwing a regular whip out of a downside is physically more difficult.
For reference I spin and whip regular, done plenty 3 whips back in my day but never 3 down whips.
  • 5 0
 Really really good. Incredible building, riding, and production.

I wonder what his build budget is? He must have had a crew out there for a month or two prepping all that!
  • 6 0
 That acid drop to bar spin is absolutely sick. Just jumping off of a cliff hoping it all goes right.
  • 1 0
 That was seriously bananas.
  • 4 0
 Another Brandon Semenuk edit, and I still immediately stop what i am doing and watch. Never ceases to amaze me what he can do on a bike and the style he has in doing so.
  • 4 2
 I think of him as almost more of an aerialist then a mountain biker, and then you see him flow through what to him is just an approach to another feature and realize just how solid he's with the wheels on the ground. I have very little interest in all the slopestyle/big air stuff for myself - but damn, I still enjoy watching the hell out of him being just that damn good.
  • 4 0
 For anyone else now stoked about riding bikes in the amazing landscape of Alberta's badlands, I have sad news for you.... It's all private land or parks.
  • 2 0
 Actually you could come down to Redcliff just outside of Medicine Hat and ride some badlands.

www.trailforks.com/region/redcliff
  • 6 0
 Dear Red Bull, this area is Cretaceous and not Jurassic.
  • 4 0
 doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?
  • 1 0
 Cretaceous 5?
  • 1 0
 I recall sitting barge side at Jump Ship watching Semenuk. I had no clue who he was. He was the only dude busting backflips off a platform with a 2’ lip into an abrupt landing are. Been watching him since. Dude is the GOAT.
  • 1 0
 I’ll add this here.

m.pinkbike.com/news/Dirt-Jumps-on-a-Barge-Brandon-Semenuk-wins-Jump-Ship.html
  • 2 1
 Dear Mr. Isaac Wallen,
Can we please get an edit where you keep the wide shots on the tricks and not cut to the tight shots. I understand that you are hoping to make it a dynamic edit. but a wide shot for the big tricks will make it look more "epic"

Thanks in advance.
  • 1 0
 sick. and to all those that think the Alberta badlands should be the next Rampage site, sorry but Utah has the elevation change advantage. i believe the dirt is very similar but you would only get 2 to 3 max hits in the highest parts of this area.
  • 1 0
 The real OG not "parting ways " with most or almost all his sponsors for many years. Like good old Red Wine, just gets better with age. Mad respect to BS and his list of accolades. Thank you very much for inspiring the MTB world.
  • 4 0
 Sheeesh! Never disappoints, gonna have to watch this like 10x
  • 2 0
 I haven't followed Brandon's career too closely, but would he be considered the Messi of football (soccer)?

The whip off of wall was ... impressive.
  • 7 0
 I think Messi is the Messi of football. I bet Brandon has a solid weak foot kick though.
  • 4 0
 @pmhobson: which leg is more powerful: a Messi penalty kick or a Semenuk double tailwhip?
  • 3 0
 Wally is dropping the axe on the entire industry. That's all that's right with an edit right there. Legend!
  • 3 0
 Now how many Calgary and southern Alberta riders are going to go and try to ride these spots?
  • 2 0
 This reminds me. Has anyone good ever done a recreation of the E.T. bike chase? A quick web search came up pretty short.
  • 2 0
 Wow...always wanted to ride there growing up next door...guess you just need red bull on your side to get permission!
  • 2 0
 Semenuk in the Alberta badlands! Never would've expected that, and so cool to see.
  • 2 0
 Vastly different than my riding of the badlands last summer. The badlands are such a cool area.
  • 1 0
 Always look forward to his edits as he's been one of my favorite pro riders to watch since his segment in NWD10 years back. Nice cut Brandon!
  • 2 1
 When does this video game come out?

In all honesty, I think I would buy a Brandon Semenuk game. Id imagine it would have bikes and rally racing.
  • 1 0
 On a really good night, once every 3-4 months or so, I dream that I can ride like this. I wake up, old, sore, and go to work.
  • 1 0
 I thought maybe I'd become a little numb to these, after Brandon has released so many killer videos over the years.. nope! Still picking my jaw up off the floor!
  • 2 0
 Missed an opportunity with the music. Could have used a “rural Alberta advantage” song and had a very similar sound/vibe
  • 1 0
 That video made me smile! It was a while without smiling watching someone riding. Congrats!
  • 2 0
 This Brenden Sembuk fella can sure ride a bike.
  • 2 0
 so many moments i found absolutely incomprehensible
  • 1 0
 Yep, brilliant! Great filming, boosted tricks. That flair/invert was massive!
  • 3 0
 Mmmmm, that Wall-Whip…
  • 1 0
 Trying to figure that, usually a ride would whip it the other way, which, iirc, is a downside whip... so this is topside, or just a whip? Either way, amazing
  • 1 0
 @lukemech: Probably safer/ easier for him to do a regular topside whip out of that specific wall with the single crown DH bike rather than oppo downwhip. He did an oppo down whip off a wall in his last Raw 100 on the slope bike, but it was smaller and less gnarly if it went wrong.
  • 2 0
 This dude is so smooth, his nickname should be The Cat.
  • 1 0
 He does it again. So inspiring. Getting me stoked to explore a new terrain in my home province.
  • 5 4
 I think "Afterlife" must refer to that awful song playing over and over again...for all of eternity?
  • 1 0
 or g\Ghost Buster's Afterlife movie that was partly filmed in the area.
  • 1 0
 So smooth and natural in the air. No rush, just perfect flow state all the time.
  • 2 0
 THIS FUCKIN GUY........ SO EPIC
  • 2 0
 Dude is living his best life & still delivering the goods. Boom.
  • 1 0
 And that ladys is called STEEZE.

no need for pink helmets, flashy colors or any other shit than talent (on and off camera)
  • 2 1
 I actually forgot I was watching a mtb video because the soundtrack was so good!
  • 1 0
 Pumped to see our backyard to the East get some love! Absolutely unreal edit as always!
  • 2 0
 Obi Wan Semenuk at it again.
  • 1 0
 Inconceivable! ....we are so lucky to have a creative genius that keeps us in awe time and time again... thank you, Brandon!
  • 2 0
 The best!, such a perfect vid.
  • 1 0
 God damn, his finest work, always stepping things up in art and style. Nice one Brandon and friends.
  • 2 0
 this man sending hucks on a DJ bike a human wouldn't do on an DH bike..
  • 1 0
 Now thats just showing off! Amazing edit. Silly-good tricks. Nice soundtrack. First class
  • 1 0
 Amazing to watch, after all these years, always such perfection on everything. Nobody comes even close.
  • 1 0
 OMG!!! Brandon, i want a child from you!
  • 1 0
 A thing of beauty - and that WALL RIDE!!!!!!!!!
  • 2 0
 sick
  • 1 0
 Absolute madness. Creativity knows no limits.
  • 1 0
 That some sh1t to drop this early in the year…
  • 1 0
 Only content that gets a guaranteed click from me Smile Well done
  • 1 0
 Amazing. Is he riding a remedy?
  • 1 0
 An usual day at the office... Thanks guys!
  • 1 0
 The only thing left for him to do is win Rampage on a slope bike.
  • 1 0
 So many things right about this video. Get out your notepads.
  • 1 0
 This really whipped me out of my seat
  • 1 0
 chill vibes while doing very not chill things.....great edit
  • 1 0
 which trek frame is that?
  • 1 0
 ticket s proto and session park i think
  • 1 0
 He must have a BMX background.
  • 2 1
 Great video! Why is he not any high pivot Trek frames?
  • 1 0
 This will never be toped imo
  • 1 0
 Putting down his rampage run without any risk of actually being robbed!!
  • 1 0
 Yes yes yes!!!! More edits like this Brandon! You’re art in motion sir.
  • 1 0
 Holy shit, dopeness!
  • 1 0
 Pure Art
  • 1 0
 So Rad!!!!!
  • 2 1
 BERTA!
  • 1 0
 g'day
  • 1 0
 This is so sick!
  • 1 0
 Good job, sick edit !
  • 1 1
 he is good. he should compete in some redbull bicycle competitions.
  • 1 0
 Semenuk + Wallen = Magic
  • 1 1
 Decade to tailwhip is insanity.
  • 1 0
 Wow, so good!
  • 1 0
 Another Semenuk classic.
  • 1 0
 Take that, AI!
  • 1 2
 He's a decent rider. But could he do it on a cold, wet Wednesday night in Stoke?
  • 1 1
 Art in every sense of the word!
  • 1 0
 Absolutely legend of MTB
  • 1 0
 “Pure”
  • 1 1
 TMFINR
  • 1 1
 the king!
  • 1 1
 That was awesome !
  • 1 1
 The Best! So good
  • 4 6
 Epic landscapes could do with slower cuts. Still epic Big Grin
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