Key Takeaways: 50-minute documentary 'Road to Everest' screened in Hong Kong, drawing diverse audiences Film follows Raj Gurung's expedition and highlights Sherpa contributions and climate change impacts Record-holding climbers Phurba Tenzing Sherpa and Nima Gyalzen Sherpa attended the premiere Director Nirmal Shrestha says Everest reflects Nepali courage, struggle and future, with plans to take the film to global festivals KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 15
Everest is at the centre of a new Nepali documentary, but Road to Everest goes beyond the mountain's familiar images of beauty and adventure to examine the changing Himalayan environment and the people whose lives are tied to it.
The 50-minute documentary was screened at Sunbeam Whampoa Cinema Hall in Hung Hom, Hong Kong, on Sunday, drawing audiences from Nepali and Indian communities as well as Chinese, British, Filipino, American and Indonesian communities.
The film follows the journey from sea level to Mount Everest, focusing on the challenges of mountaineering, human courage, the contribution of the Sherpa community and the changes taking place in the Himalayan environment due to climate change.
At its centre is the Everest expedition of Raj Gurung, who is over 50. The screening was also attended by record-holding climbers Phurba Tenzing Sherpa and Nima Gyalzen Sherpa, who have climbed Everest 18 and 11 times, respectively. Around half a dozen Chinese climbers based in Hong Kong who have summited Everest also attended the premiere.
Viewers praised the documentary's presentation, subject matter and message, with some saying it made them feel as though they were travelling to Everest themselves.
Director Nirmal Shrestha said the documentary was intended not simply to introduce Everest but to help audiences understand the mountain and its wider significance.
"Everest is not just a mountain. It is connected with Nepali courage, dreams, struggle, identity and our future," Shrestha said.
Tulsi Kumar Gurung, chairperson of We Will Rise Foundation, said the documentary delivers an important message about the changes occurring in the Himalayan region because of climate change.
He said the production team plans to take Road to Everest to film festivals around the world to raise international awareness about climate change and Himalayan conservation.
The documentary was written by journalist Santosh Acharya and Shrestha and has been produced in both Nepali and English.
Following screenings in Nepal and its Hong Kong premiere, the production team is preparing to take the documentary to international film festivals, special screenings and cinemas in different countries.
