EVER watched a documentary that sends chills down your spine? “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa” does exactly that.
Netflix knew what they were doing when they released it as there is no better way to empower women than to show them they can achieve anything in Women’s Month.
This incredible documentary, which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival 2023, is directed by an Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lucy Walker.
It shines a spotlight on the extraordinary Lhakpa Sherpa, a Nepali mountain climber who became the first woman to summit Mount Everest.
Astonishingly, she has reached the summit of Everest 10 times, more than any other woman in the world. The film follows Sherpa back to Nepal as she prepares for her 10th climb in May 2022 at the age of 48.
While conquering Everest was a monumental feat, life away from the mountain wasn't always as triumphant for Sherpa. The documentary explores the myriad challenges she faced.
Walker skilfully intertwines Sherpa's personal history with stunning shots of the Himalayas, but it's Sherpa herself who makes "Mountain Queen" so compelling.
The cinematography is breathtaking. It’s the story of the woman at the centre of this tale that truly inspires.
Sherpa’s journey is remarkable not just for her mountaineering achievements but also for the obstacles she overcame to realise her dream.
Growing up in a patriarchal Nepal, she was denied an education. Instead, she took her younger brother to school, strapped to her back.
Determined to work, she cut her hair and posed as a boy to get a physically demanding job as a porter, carrying heavy loads up mountains. She was later promoted to kitchen-boy, working tirelessly to cook for Western tourists.
Her tenacity didn’t stop there. She convinced the prime minister of Nepal to allow her to attempt an Everest climb.
On May 18, 2000, she became the first Nepali woman to reach the summit and return safely. Despite growing up without wealth, education or opportunity, her determination never wavered.
Sherpa’s personal life was tumultuous. She found love twice but faced heartache. Her first relationship ended when her partner cheated. Later, she met George Dijmărescu on Everest, a strong Romanian man who settled in the US.
They lived in Connecticut with their two daughters, Sunny and Shiny. Sherpa worked as a house cleaner and, during climbing season, she and George returned to Everest.
George, despite his vices, climbed without supplemental oxygen.
However, Dijmărescu’s violent tendencies almost cost Sherpa her life. The film captures a moment when he punches her at base camp, a shocking act of violence.
Sherpa eventually raised Sunny and Shiny as a single mother. The grown daughters play a significant role in “Mountain Queen”, supporting their mother as she embarks on her 2022 Everest climb, with Shiny joining her as far as basecamp.
“A woman cannot give up,” Sherpa says in the film, encapsulating her indomitable spirit and inspiring journey.