UKC

Mountain Queen - The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa

Absolutely loved this.

I'd love to know what some UKC's opinions of it are. What with it being Everest and all.

E

Trusting in UKC to deliver some entertainment on a wet morning in Devon, I gave this a go. I’m not normally that interested in big Himalayan stuff, but this is something else. An astounding film about an incredibly strong person, it throws up so many issues to unpick. A must watch.

Saw this last night. Food for thought, certainly, but I spent most of the film wondering what the motivations were of the main people involved, as the story as presented ('I just love the mountains') didn't ring true at all, especially as we were given no indication that she'd ever been up any hill other than Everest. Ascents of Everest have a social and economic value far beyond that of any other peak and I couldn't help but think there were unspoken motivations well outside of those admitted to.

Also: George - what a disturbing character, right from the very first image shown.

In summary, I thought it was an uncomfortable watch which for me didn't paint her entirely in the positive light that seemed intended.

Thought it was a completely odd, and badly put together, watch. Gave up two thirds of the way through it, so unless I missed a massive plot twist, not sure I’d revisit it.

Like you, found it uncomfortable in parts, not least when they were all sat round crying, lamenting the loss of the wife beater. Weird. 
 

I didn’t say it was a comfortable watch! For me there were so many issues - why westerners climb, why Sherpas help us to climb, why Sherpas climb, poverty in poor countries, religion and cultural attitudes, east European attitudes to climbing success, domestic violence, alcoholism, barriers, exploitation, the aim of the film itself, to name but a few. The film is quite messy, but so is life and it certainly has been for this particular woman. Her strength both physical and mental is though undeniable.