Producer John Smithson discusses documentary 'Sherpa'
On 18th April 2014 at 6:45 am, the worst tragedy in Everest’s history occurred when a 14-million-ton ice block crashed down through the Khumbu glacier killing sixteen Sherpas. This devastating event triggered an examination of the lives and role of Sherpas working in this high-risk trade. This tragic incident is now the basis for Jennifer Peedom’s fascinating and thoughtful documentary Sherpa.
“We got increasingly interested in the complex relationship between the Sherpas and the Western Climbers,” says producer Jim Smithson, who helped develop the project alongside Peedom and fellow producer Bridget Ikin. “It was a long and complex process that was developing for about two-and-a-half years.”
Smithson is recognized as one of the most respected and successful executive producers specializing in worldwide and factual production and filmmaking. Having produced documentaries Thriller in Manilla (2009), Touching the Void (2004) and the feature film 127 Hours (2010) – which earned him an Academy Award nomination – Smithson has had a front row seat to some of the world’s largest natural disasters.
In 2014, Smithson, Peedom, and their team, initially set out to document a film about the lives of Sherpas and their role in the Mount Everest tourist business, but events did not go as planned. “We wanted it to be a classic documentary, following events as they unfolded and telling the story as we saw it,” he says, “and give an understanding of the reality of Everest and the crucial roles of the Sherpas.”
Naturally, Smithson and Peedom did not comprehend that such a tragic accident was to take place on that morning of 18th April, but they decided to continue filming. Following the events that occurred, and capturing it on camera in the process, it was evident that the entire region was in shock, reeling from the tragedy of the recent events. “It was a complex mix of emotions: relief that our team was safe; sadness for all the Sherpas that had died,” Smithson adds. “Immediately we were mentally challenged about how we could change out our film to reflect what happened.”
One of the central characters featured throughout Sherpa is Phurba Tashi, a native in the village of Khumjung. As he anticipated the annual influx of climbers, he also was making preparations for his 22nd trip to Mount Everest – a climb that would make him a record breaker in his native Nepal. “My brother died on Everest last year,” Phurba explains in the documentary, “he went because he needed the money.” This is a constant predicament that the Sherpas see themselves in every year and a fundamental issue that Smithson and Peedom were keen to raise.
Despite having worked on over 50 projects, Smithson affirms that Sherpa was by far the most challenging – both professionally and personally. “It was a privilege to work on this film, but this was especially difficult due to the dramatic events on the mountain.” He adds, “However when we showed the Sherpas the film for the first time, we were thrilled that they so appreciated the fact that we told the story from their point-of-view. I’ve just heard the film went down really well at screenings we’ve had in Kathmandu.”
Sherpa is a remarkable and candid documentary that affords audiences the opportunity to understand the struggle faced by Sherpas and the natives of Nepal on a daily basis. “One of the best things about feature docs is that you can watch a film with an audience rather than at home on a TV screen,” says Smithson. “There is a great group dynamic when a bunch of people gathers together to watch a doc on the big screen and my job is all about story-telling. These big, dramatic stories can make compelling viewing if you can tell them in a way that engages your audience.”