SHERPA, a documentary about the mountain guides of Mount Everest, set out to expose tension in the 2014 Everest climbing season from the Sherpa mountain guides point of view and instead captured tragedy when an avalanche struck, killing 16 Sherpas. Director Jennifer Peedom discusses what it was like to film the dangerous expedition as well as capturing the heartbreaking story of how Sherpa guides banded together through tragedy to face issues among the guides as well as the mountain climbing industry in this uncensored BYOD interview hosted by Ondi Timoner. FILM & GUEST INFO: A fight on Everest? It seemed incredible. But in 2013 news channels around the world reported an ugly brawl at 21,000ft as European climbers fled a mob of angry Sherpas. In 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay had reached the summit in a spirit of co-operation and brave optimism. Now climbers and Sherpas were trading insults – even blows. 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. Jennifer Peedom is known for her intimate and compassionate portraits, documenting stories from the epic to the everyday, often in extreme situations. Her credits include the internationally renowned documentaries MIRACLE ON EVEREST and SOLO. Jen is an experienced climber, and has worked as a high altitude director on several expeditions including Discovery Channel’s six-part series EVEREST: BEYOND THE LIMIT. She has developed a strong friendship with Sherpa people over many years of working in the Himalayas since 2004, and these connections were key to the access we were granted in the making of SHERPA. Her awards include an Australian Film Institute and Film Critics Circle Award for Best Documentary, multiple Australian Directors Guild Awards for Best Direction, and a ‘Rocky’ at the World Media Awards. Jen was also awarded the inaugural David and Joan Williams Documentary Fellowship, which recognises and rewards creative ambition, intellectual rigour and innovation in documentary cinema. Jen has directed for ABC, SBS, BBC, France 5, ITVS, Discovery Channel and National Geographic Channel. ADD’L LINKS: http://sherpafilm.com/ https://www.facebook.com/sherpafilm/ https://twitter.com/sherpafilm http://thelip.tv/ BYOD Full Episodes Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0NIUsPc4aY&index;=1&list;=PLjk3H0GXhhGdZbrANmO6kYPy8IQC0GiN_ BYOD Short Clips Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5q0-OJRwJo&index;=1&list;=PLjk3H0GXhhGeu2DCf6Ouo7hTsA5QB2MAL http://www.youtube.com/theliptv https://www.facebook.com/BYODOC?directed_target_id=0 https://www.facebook.com/thelip.tv?ref=hl EPISODE BREAKDOWN: 00:01 Welcoming Jennifer Peedom to BYOD. 00:45 Documenting Sherpa’s and the April, 18th 2014 avalanche. 03:53 SHERPA, Clip: Commercialism on Everest. 05:44 Using archival footage, Russell Brice and the price to climb. 08:06 Employment opportunities and tourism while keeping culture and customs. 09:10 SHERPA Clip: 11:05 Completing the film after the avalanche amid Sherpa protest. 13:10 The avalanche from basecamp. SHERPA, Clip: The aftermath of the avalanche. 16:49 Meeting families, risks and addiction + filming a man’s world as a woman. 22:41 Giving a voice to the voiceless during crisis. 23:25 SHERPA clip: Government 25:27 Personal challenges with the film. 27:43 Life after the film and continued Sherpa protests. 29:20 When and where to watch. 30:03 Thank you and goodbye. 30:09 SHERPA, Trailer.

• published: 21 Jan 2016
• views: 1788