Embarking on this journey to delve into the lives of Mount Everest's Sherpa community was not only a poignant experience but a transformative one. On April 18, 2014, an avalanche struck and claimed the lives of 16 Sherpas, changing their community—and me—forever. Working alongside the incredible director Jen Peedom, my goal was to cast a spotlight on a story that has often been eclipsed by the narratives of outsiders.
Filming at high altitudes, with the reverberations of avalanches echoing in the background, was as intense as it gets. The gravity of what we were capturing became even more palpable when I had to aim my camera at the fallen, paying tribute through the lens, as I stood alongside families consumed by grief. This wasn't just another project for me; it etched itself deeply into my soul.
What unfolded through the lens was a critical look at the climbing industry atop the world’s highest peak. But more importantly, it led to forging unbreakable bonds with a community of incredibly resilient people. From that point on, I knew that my work needed to serve a larger purpose: amplifying the voices of the Sherpa community and sharing their unique, often-overlooked perspective with the world.
