‘Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa’ Review: Inspirational Portrait of Female Everest Climber Uncovers Unexpected Wounds

I am deeply moved and inspired by the story of Lhakpa Sherpa, the brave and resilient woman from Nepal who has summited Mount Everest multiple times while facing numerous challenges in her personal and professional life. Her journey is a testament to the power of determination, perseverance, and the indomitable human spirit.

At a Whole Foods Market in Connecticut, an unassuming woman named Lhakpa Sherpa works behind the counter. Originally from Nepal and a single mother, she relies on public transportation to get to work every day. However, her incredible accomplishments go unknown by those around her – she has summited Mount Everest several times in her native land. This remarkable feat of endurance and mental strength is even more astounding given her upbringing as an illiterate woman in a rigidly patriarchal society. Now, Lhakpa’s inspiring journey, both as a climber and an immigrant and survivor, is the focus of the moving and suspenseful documentary “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa,” directed by Lucy Walker, who previously brought us “Waste Land.”

In the beginning, Walker shows clips from an interview with a cheerful Sherpa woman, fluent in English yet adorned in vibrant traditional clothing that will later be replaced by mountaineering equipment. She expresses her strong faith in Everest as a divine feminine entity, guiding her like a North Star. The interview also takes us back to her childhood days growing up among the Sherpa community in Nepal, who all share the same last name and have first names based on their birthdays within the week.

In stark contrast to modern day videos of the Sherpa community and old footage from a documentary about the first female summit, Sherpa reflects on her limited past opportunities due to gender discrimination. She would drop off her brother at school daily but was denied the chance to attend herself. Her unwavering resolve ultimately led the government to finance an all-female Everest climbing expedition, which she led. The filmmaker uses various cinematographers to depict the distinct and geographically dispersed storylines in this documentary. One cameraperson concentrates on Sunny, Sherpa’s eldest daughter, dealing with deep-rooted trauma. The most striking scenes are captured at the harsh altitudes during the climb, offering a raw portrayal of the real peril faced by those filming. These authentic moments of danger instantly remind viewers of the risks borne by the person capturing these images.

In the tranquil beauty of the snow-capped mountains or the rustic comfort of a tent swaying with the wind’s gentle touch, Sherpa finds her greatest sense of self-determination. Mount Everest provides her with much-needed perspective when faced with personal upheaval. One particularly poignant scene in the movie shows Sherpa recounting how, after having an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, she was unable to return home due to her parents’ shame. It wasn’t until she conquered Everest for the first time and gained widespread recognition in Nepal that her father finally acknowledged her as being equal to a son in status. However, this validation serves as a stark reminder of the deeply ingrained gender inequality that Nepali women face both at home and in their professional lives.

In partnership with multiple editors, Walker skillfully integrates Sherpa’s unique traits to go beyond mere triumphalism. While Sherpa exhibits a robust persona when climbing, she displays a delicate emotional side in other situations, notably after marrying and relocating to the US with George Dijmarescu, a seasoned Romanian climber. Many heart-stopping shots originate from Sherpa’s latest climb, her historic 10th ascent. This achievement holds more meaning than external accolades, as Sherpa aims to reclaim her self-assuredness following years of mistreatment by Dijmarescu, both at home and on the mountain, as depicted in the 2009 book “High Crimes,” which recounted a challenging expedition.

As a moviegoer, I find the contrast between the two versions of the woman in “Mountain Queen” to be intriguing. In one scene, we meet a brave and determined soul who disguises herself as a man to pursue her dream of becoming an Everest guide. However, in another part of the story, we encounter a powerless immigrant woman trapped in a foreign land with an abusive husband. These two sides of the same person add depth and complexity to her character, making the movie more engaging and thought-provoking for me as a viewer.

I’m truly captivated by Walker’s unique perspective on Dijmarescu’s intricate and seemingly paradoxical character. What strikes me most is the addition of an account from one of his friends, who consents to share insights with Shiny, Sherpa’s young daughter. This dialogue doesn’t absolve him of his monstrous actions (or Yeti, as referred to by Sherpa), but refrains from passing judgment with a black-and-white moral compass. Instead, it acknowledges Dijmarescu’s humanity and the wounds he carried himself, offering understanding not just for his children’s sake, but also on a storytelling level. This approach invites us to reflect on how our personal struggles don’t give us a pass to inflict pain upon others.

Sherpa could have been deemed inspirational solely on the merits of the literal and metaphorical heights she has reached, in spite of the cumulus of limitations on her mountainous path. But her bravery to expose one of the toughest periods of her existence, where she was momentarily stripped of her intrepid fearlessness, deserves double the admiration. In Walker’s hands, it becomes clear that Sherpa’s genuine humility and positive outlook emerged from confronting seemingly unsurmountable challenges, which she bent to her will by way of unwavering resolve.

2024-07-26 04:24

‘Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa’ Review: Inspirational Portrait of Female Everest Climber Uncovers Unexpected Wounds

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