Journey to Everest

REVIEWS

JOURNEY TO EVEREST IS A JOURNEY WORTH TAKING

Written by Mike Parker for The Entertainment Examiner

In October of 2008, six Americans traveled to Nepal to embark on the journey to the top of the world – Mt. Everest Base Camp. The world they encountered was a world apart; alive with color, pageantry, and passion. From crowded streets to breathtaking vistas available nowhere else on earth, these travelers began to see themselves and their world in a different light; to regard their fellow human beings, however different their culture may appear, as fellow sojourners and children of the same God.

Their journey took a dramatic turn after the flight they were supposed to be one was overbooked and they had to wait another day for their chance to tackle Everest. That flight, the soon discovered, went down in a fiery crash in a dense fog, killing everyone on board except the pilot. Gut check time revealed understandably mixed emotions. Eventually the team began the 18,000 foot ascension, but not everyone would make it.

Journey to Everest is an exquisitely produced documentary. Yes, it is about a quest to conquer the world’s highest peak, and yes, the cinematography is breathtaking. But Journey to Everest is more…much more. It is as much about scaling the heights within your own soul as it is about reaching the summit. It is as much about learning to trust things you cannot see with your eyes as it is about trusting your teammates. It is as much about compassion as it is about conquering the natural world.

Produced by Hollywood vet, Mitchell Galin, and filmed and directed by up-and-coming filmmaker, David Kiern, Journey to Everest is an experience that is not to be missed.

Simply glorious.

DOVE REVIEW

Written by Donna Rolfe for The Dove Foundation

“Containing many facts about this region of the world and the testimony of these adventurers, the viewer becomes aware of the beauty, the people, the religious beliefs of Kathmandu and our traveler's thoughts. As they endure the climate change and the dangers that face them, this group overcomes the challenges to reach their goal of the magnificent Mt. Everest Base Camp. A film that will put the viewer in awe of the discoveries on this miraculous journey. We award this wonderful documentary the Dove "Family-Approved" seal for all ages.”

CVM REVIEW

Written by Jeff Ford for Christian Video Magazine

It’s the highest mountain on Earth above sea level towering over the border of Nepal and Tibet. Mount Everest is a breathtaking natural wonder and its mere existence is a beckoning call to thrill-seekers and adventurers who hope to scale its heights. Over the years, however, Everest has claimed the lives of over 200 of those who would seek to answer its challenge. Even the trek to “Everest Base Camp”, considered simply the starting point for an attempt to climb it, is frought with challenge and can’t be reached except by foot, beast or helicopter. It’s that journey to simply set foot at the base of this massive mountain and gaze upon its beauty that forms the backdrop for the adventure in the documentary Journey to Everest.

Filmmaker David Kiern, joined a group of people from Nashville, Tennessee who planned to embark on the journey

to Everest Base Camp. His plan was to document the trip, hopefully get an engaging adventure out of it, and talk about faith, as the team members were all Christians. What none of the adventurers expected was to have their trip waylaid by a terrible tragedy and their faith challenged like never before. On the day they were to take a plane to the starting point of the trek, weather conditions had caused delays and they ended up getting bumped from their flight that day. When they returned to their hotel, they were confronted with disturbing news... the plane they had been bumped from had crashed, killing 18 people.

What happens next makes up the meat of the film as the team has to decide whether they are willing to risk a flight the next day and make the long trek they’ve travelled around the world to experience. The film documents the team’s emotional and physical journey as they work their way toward Everest Base Camp and learn about the land and the culture along the way.

Journey to Everest is a well done documentary in the tradition of the Discovery Channel or PBS with many breath- taking shots of a beautiful and fascinating part of the world, a taxing journey, revelations about a culture and people unique to that part of the world, while peppered with reminders of how magnificent our God is. Directed by David Kiern and

co-produced by Mitchell Galin ( Apostles of Comedy, Sci-Fi miniseries Frank Herbert’s Dune), Journey to Everest is a

heartfelt adventure that the filmmakers are making available for free to churches around the world to premiere on July 11th.

While the main focus of the film is the journey, there are several diversions that prove quite fascinating and add a very human and personal element to the story. Delayed by the plane crash, the team spends the day travelling around Nepal, learning about its culture and its people and their devotion to over 330,000 gods. While the audience is anxious to see if the team will make their elusive goal, they can’t help but be moved by the experiences of some of the team members who stayed behind due to health concerns and visit a tiny school in a mountain village whose only wish is to have a computer so the kids can learn on it (but it does cause one to jokingly wonder how good the Wi-Fi is in that remote region).

It’s not spoiling the film to say that the team makes it to base camp, but the final arrival of the team to that spot is rather anti-climactic in some ways, which is not necessarily a negative point. It is a reminder that sometimes the goal is only one part of an adventure and it’s the journey that makes the difference... it’s the journey that changes us. Salvation may offer us a “happy ending”, but what will we do on the journey? That is a lesson that may resonate for audiences once the credits have rolled... that and how amazing is the God we serve.

AUDIENCE REACTIONS

“Wanted to tell you that I watched the documentary and was really moved. Even tearful at points. Seriously. All of the ups and downs of emotion in the unfolding story were handled very well, without going to extremes, tastefully without trying to play on the viewer’s emotions. Just putting the story out there and letting the viewer reflect on it. Very effective rather than ramming a point down people’s throats.”

Rebecca ― Jakarta, Indonesia

“The reaction was extremely positive. Most of the comments centered around the response of these Christian people to the overwhelmingly Hindu culture around them. They simply learned about the people and did what they could for them. They showed them God’s love rather than simply beating them with a Bible. We all loved the story of finding joy in God’s creation. Excellent production. Thank you!”

Pastor Perry ― Millbrook, AL

“The film was wonderful and educating. We have watched it 6 times already and have shown it to my parents and a friend a ours. Nepal is the most beautiful country. The film quality was fantastic! Very informative. It is a must see for anyone who would like to travel on mission trips. Just all around great film. Thanks again for producing this movie.”

Rachel ― Lake Charles, LA

“We had our premiere event yesterday at New Life Christian Church. Everyone that attended really enjoyed the movie and was definitely uplifted by the many messages the film contains. Good work everyone!”

Rev. Stetson ― Enosburg Falls, VT

“This film is a tale of adventure and adversity, a story of perspective and ministry, all exquisitely packaged with some of the most arresting shots of the Himalayan region that you’ll ever see on the screen.”

Crossroads Fellowship ― Lebanon, TN

“One of our members, who is an avid climber said that he had thought he had missed his opportunity to climb Everest until he saw this film.”

Pastor Ashberry ― North Little Rock, AR

“We used the film as an outreach tool AND as a source of inspiration for a mission team who came to our church. Everyone loved the film and left inspired, as hoped. The film gave us a great springboard to talk to the team of teenagers about taking big risks for God and following through on their dreams. Many were inspired especially by the team leader’s generosity.”

Shannon ― Baltimore, MD

“We publicized the showing of Journey To Everest as Family Movie night at our church and we sold refreshments as a fun raiser for our Compassion Ministry which feeds the needy in our community. The people liked it so much that we now have a monthly movie night. The movie spoke to many about not knowing what the future holds and to be ready. To others it brought home the need to live each day as if it was their last. To others, the majesty and beauty of the Himalayas spoke of how great God the Creator is.”

JoeAnne ― Miami, FL