Sherpa: documentary reveals Western discrimination against Everest's local heroes Sherpa: documentary reveals Western discrimination against Everest's local heroes Caroline Halstead

Jennifer Peedom,

New documentary Sherpa puts a face to the men behind the heroes. Soaringly beautiful and utterly absorbing,is a politically charged lament against an awe-inspiring mountain backdrop. From award-winning directorSherpa follows a group of local Nepalese mountaineers, bringing to light the disproportionate risks and struggles they experience between base and summit of the world's highest peak.













After an unforeseen tragedy hits during the 2014 Everest expedition, Peedom's film brings to light the discrimination against the Sherpas from foreign tour guides in the wake of the disaster, as well as the lack of support towards their own poor working conditions shown by the Nepalese government.



Sherpa also has at its helm the BAFTA winning producer John Smithson (Touching The Void, 127 Hours). More than a mountain, Everest becomes a microcosm of global retaliation against a disrespectful West.



Passionate and provocative, Sherpa gives an identity to the men standing behind the heroes: Sherpa won the Grierson award for Best Documentary at this year's London Film Festival.



Sherpa will be released in UK cinemas 18 December.





