Nepali Documentary Takes Audiences on Everest's Journey
Nepali Documentary Takes Audiences on Everest's Journey
KATHMANDU — The Nepali documentary "Road to Everest," which portrays the courage, struggle, dreams and the changing Himalayan environment tied to Sagarmatha (Mount Everest), had its Nepal premiere on Saturday at the QFX Hall, Chhaya Center, Thamel, Kathmandu.
The event drew a notable turnout of personalities from various fields, journalists, educationists, representatives from the tourism and mountaineering sectors, artists and general audiences. Three special screenings were organized, one of which was held specifically for school and college administrators, principals and other representatives from the education sector.
Running 50 minutes, the documentary traces the journey from sea level to the summit of the world's highest peak, spotlighting the challenges of mountaineering, human courage, the contribution of the Sherpa community, and the rapidly changing Himalayan environment caused by climate change.
At the heart of the film is Raj Gurung, over 50 years old, and his journey to climb Everest. According to the production team, his climb undertaken while challenging his age and his own limits is presented as a story of dreams, struggle, self-belief and human determination. The documentary also features record-holding climbers Phurba Tenjing Sherpa and Nima Gyalzen Sherpa, along with Binod Gurung, Suraj Gurung and Nirmal Shrestha.
The production team says no artificial or computer-generated visuals were used in "Road to Everest."
"We made this film not just to introduce Everest, but to help people truly understand it," said director Nirmal Shrestha. "Everest is not merely a mountain it is our pride, tied to Nepali courage, dreams, struggle, identity and the future."
"Our story about Everest has always been told through others. This film also carries the belief that it is time we tell the story of our own mountain ourselves. We have our own story, our own perspective so we must be the ones to tell the story of our mountain," he added.
Shrestha said the film is also a document for future generations. Even if the mountain itself is gone decades from now, he said, the film will remain continuing to tell the story of the mountain our generation experienced, its beauty, its struggles, and everything tied to it. He said an important goal of the film is to make audiences feel that Everest is a source of pride for the nation.
Tulsi Gurung, chairperson of the Be Will Rise Foundation, said that although Everest is already known to the world, "Road to Everest" was made to help convey its true meaning and significance from a Nepali perspective. He said the documentary, produced by the social organization Be Will Rise Foundation, aims to promote Nepal's Himalayan heritage and tourism internationally, as well as raise public awareness about the impact of climate change on the Himalayan region.
The documentary's story was written by journalist Santosh Acharya and Nirmal Shrestha. The film has been produced in both Nepali and English.
Following the Nepal premiere, preparations are underway to screen "Road to Everest" at various venues across Nepal, as well as to take it to international film festivals and cinema halls. According to the production team, its international premiere will be held in Hong Kong on Bhadra 28 (September 13).
Audiences who attended the screenings praised the documentary's presentation, content and message, giving positive feedback. They said "Road to Everest" offered a fresh perspective on understanding Everest, and that it allowed Nepalis to present the story of their own mountain from their own point of view.
