Director: Jennifer Peedom

Sherpa

Sherpa

Rating: 4/5

The documentary genre has been an incredibly strong genre of film this year and Sherpa is a December film that you cannot afford to miss - it really is a terrific watch.

Sherpa marks the return of Jennifer Peedom to the director's chair for her first big screen documentary feature since Solitary Endeavour on the Southern Ocean back in 2008; she has been working on a string of television projects in recent years.

In 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay had reached the Everest summit in a spirit of co-operation and brave optimism. But in 2013 news channels around the world reported an ugly brawl at 21,000ft as European climbers fled a mob of angry Sherpas. What had happened to the happy, smiling Sherpas and their dedication in getting foreigners to the top of the mountain they hold so sacred? Determined to explore what was going on, the filmmakers set out to make a film of the 2014 Everest climbing season, from the Sherpas' point of view.

Instead, they captured a tragedy that would change Everest forever. At 6.45am on 18th April, 2014, a 14 million ton block of ice crashed down onto the climbing route through the Khumbu Icefall, killing 16 Sherpas. It was the worst tragedy in the history of Everest. The disaster provoked a drastic reappraisal about the role of the Sherpas in the Everest industry. Sherpa, tells the story of how, in the face of fierce opposition, the Sherpas united in grief and anger to reclaim the mountain they call Chomolungma.

From start to finish, Sherpa is a spectacular documentary that is absorbing as it is entertaining, touching and incredibly powerful.

Over the years, Everest has become one of the biggest tourist destinations and more and more people tackle the climb and the vital role of the Sherpa has somehow been lost along the way. With this new film, Peedom tries to recapture that and bring the story of these incredibly brave individuals - who have watched over the mountain and helped people climb it for decades.

Sherpa is a powerful human story that is set to the most magnificent and beautiful backdrop. It is a stunning looking movie as Peedom has captured some truly wonderful and majestic images of this infamous and dangerous mountain.

Along with Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay was the Sherpa who was the first to reach the summit of Everest and yet, his name has almost been forgotten and has become a footnote in history.

For the first time, we are taken into the world of the Sherpa and learn just how much they put on the line every time that they set out up the mountain. never before has the Sherpa story taken centre stage as they are a people who have been exploited and overlooked for far too long.

Experienced guide Phurba Tashi is at the centre of this film and he has a very special bond and respect with and for the mountain that is not shared by the foreigners who climb there. To see how Everest tourism has changed from his point of view is truly fascinating - it is not hard to see why the Sherpa community has been angered by what has happened over the years.

The movie was filmed during a difficult time for Sherpas on Everest and you really get to see the grief and the anger that their community felt after sixteen were killed in 2014. The global commercialism of Everest is at the heart of the film and how the Sherpa's way of life or respect for the mountain have never been considered in the desperate dash to make money out of those who want to climb it.

Sherpa is a beautiful looking movie, but it is the human stories at its core that is the most compelling elements of this film. We are given a look into the world of Sherpa like never before and it is a riveting and captivating piece of film.

Sherpa is in cinemas now and will broadcast globally on Discovery Channel in 2016  http://sherpafilm.com/ 


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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