New movie corrects the record on Tenzing Norgay's Everest climb
Australian filmmaker Jennifer Peedom fell in love with the Himalayas as a young woman. She is now retelling its most famous story.
A new film, Tenzing, aims to rectify the historical narrative surrounding Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's monumental 1953 ascent of Mount Everest. The film, directed by Australian Jennifer Peedom, delves into Norgay's life, a Sherpa who played an indispensable role in the climb. It traces his journey from a young boy in the Himalayas, to a man determined to overcome societal prejudices and achieve his dream of climbing Chomolungma, the Tibetan name for Everest.
Peedom, a documentary filmmaker with a decade-long fascination with the Himalayas, emphasizes the importance of Norgay's contribution. She consulted with Sherpa community members and cultural advisers to ensure the film's accuracy and authenticity. The film portrays Tenzing at different stages of his life, played by three actors - a boy, a young man, and an experienced mountaineer.
The central relationship in the film is between Tenzing and Hillary, both outsiders in the British-led expedition. Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe portray Hillary and John Hunt, respectively. Dafoe notes the shift in Hunt's character from a traditionalist to a more understanding leader, which he found rewarding to portray. The film's physicality, including the actors' mountaineering training, added an authentic layer to the story. The film opens in select cinemas and Apple TV+ on October 16.
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