‘Why so long?’ TIFF debut of ‘Tenzing’ finally centres Sherpa hero of Everest summit
TORONTO, Sept 20 — It took years for Tenzing Norgay to secure his place in history as the man who, alongside New Z...
The biographical drama Tenzing, starring Willem Dafoe and Tom Hiddleston, has finally been released at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film commemorates the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, a feat achieved by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary. Director Jennifer Peedom explained that it took years to tell the story because she had always found it the most compelling Everest narrative.
The film focuses on Norgay’s perspective, highlighting his struggles and achievements as a Sherpa mountaineer who overcame significant adversity to reach the summit. Norgay, the son of a yak herder, faced numerous challenges both on and off the mountain, including discrimination due to his Tibetan heritage and being viewed as a mere load-bearer rather than a climber.
The film's lead actor, Tenzin Dalha, expressed surprise that Norgay was often overlooked in Western narratives, emphasizing that in his native Lhasa, Norgay was widely regarded as a superstar. The film delves into themes of colonialism, exclusion, and the spiritual connection to nature, aiming to convey a message beyond physical conquest.
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