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result of the Sherpas taking these risks,” she says, “so what it meant was a lot more conflict, which equates to a lot more drama. “There was a lot of uncertainty. We didn’t know if the expedition was going to continue or not, nor did I have a strong feeling whether that would be good or bad for the film. I just knew we had to keep observing what was unfolding, and this was probably the story. “Your documentary instinct needs to kick in and follow the story and what it now is, which is the Sherpas rising up for the first time ever and saying, ‘enough is enough’. “At the time it was unclear as to whether we had a film any more,” she continues. “Universal was threatening to pull the plug, because it became clear they wanted an adventure film that went all the way to the summit. We had to rewrite the treatment and re- pitch the film to them.” The events depicted in Sherpa became a catalyst for change in the Everest-climbing industry, bringing long overdue recognition of the Sherpas’ invaluable involvement. had more power than they thought they had," explains Peedom. "By standing up and giving up a season’s income, they will never be taken for granted again. “So the power dynamic has shifted and everybody has to be a little more careful about what they do and say around the Sherpas,” she adds. “It’s about respect and acknowledgement – that’s a huge part of it.” “It was a real line in the sand because it made the Sherpas realise that they

TROUBLE ON EVEREST

Westerners are recognised for their climbing achievements in the Himalayas, but the unsung heroes of Everest go unnoticed. Jennifer Peedom’s remarkable documentary feature Sherpa set out to change that – and then tragedy struck. Words: Scott Hocking

S herpas, the resilient Nepalese ethnic group with a strong spiritual connection to Everest, make a living as guides on mountaineering expeditions, carrying supplies from Base Camp to higher altitudes, and crossing the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. Some, like Phurba Tashi, have climbed the mountain a record 21 times. “’Sherpa’ has become synonymous with a job description,” says Jennifer Peedom, “and because they’ve become famous for being so good at it, people think it’s just a name for somebody who carries a bag up a hill.” The community’s crucial – and largely unacknowledged –

...people think it’s just a name for somebody who carries a bag up a hill

DVD & BD

• Sherpa is out Aug 24

Peedom recalls. “It was a really tough couple of weeks just to keep filming when you don’t know what the outcome is.” However, the director says that the tragedy didn’t drastically alter the film she originally set out to make, which sought to highlight the risks the Sherpas take. “This thing happened as a direct

contribution to the multi-million dollar Everest industry was to be the subject of Peedom’s documentary feature Sherpa , before disaster struck on April 18, 2014, when an avalanche claimed the lives of 16 guides. “It was a very difficult time emotionally for everybody involved,”

TOP SHOT

C anberra-born Jennifer Peedom’s relationship with Everest began when she discovered that her body operated well at altitudes whilst trekking with a friend. She has since worked as high altitude director on the Discovery Channel series Everest: Beyond the Limit (2006), as well as directing the documentary feature Miracle on Everest (2008), and now Sherpa (2015). “It takes years to understand what it is to work at high altitude and develop systems and processes – what kind of gloves to wear and how you carry the camera while climbing,” she explains. “Then there is the extra weight; relatively, everything at high altitude weighs about ten

times what it would at sea level. It’s got to be one of the toughest jobs out there.” She also notes that digital and GoPro cameras have had a significant impact on high altitude filmmaking, particularly during the making of Sherpa . “GoPro has had a remarkable effect, particularly now that it’s high resolution. The intimacy it gives you when climbing through the Icefall – you can hear them breathing and praying mantras. I’m a big fan what those cameras can bring. They give you better access, and we put them everywhere, like on helicopter skids. They can be tricky, but when you get it right, it can be incredibly effective.”

AUGUST 2016

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