The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation Recommends "Beyond the Edge" launching at the Toronto International Film Festival

New Film Depicts Sir Edmund Hillary's and Tenzing Norgay's 1953 Climb of Mount Everest

TORONTO, Sept. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation of Canada is pleased to recommend "Beyond the Edge", a new film launching tomorrow at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).  The film recreates the original ascent of Mount Everest by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953, the first ascent in history of the world's highest peak.

In attendance at the premiere on Friday, September 6 will be Peter Hillary, the son of Sir Edmund Hillary who passed away in January of 2008, and Norbu Tenzing, the son of Tenzing Norgay, who passed away in 1986.

"Beyond the Edge" is directed by Canadian-born Leanne Pooley who now lives in New Zealand, birthplace of Sir Edmund Hillary.  She has directed over twenty films, including the documentaries Haunting Douglas (2003), The Promise (2005), Try Revolution (2006), and Shackleton's Captain (2012). Her documentary The Topp Twins - Untouchable Girls (2009) won the People's Choice Documentary Award at the Festival.

"Beyond the Edge" coincides with the 60^th anniversary of the famous climb by Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing and features 3D technology, highly engaging viewers and allowing the audience to connect with Mount Everest as never before.

Pooley transports the viewer back in time sixty years to the foot of that seemingly unconquerable mountain, and recreates the incredible journey to the top. While many know that Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first men to stand on the summit, few know the incredible details which unfolded during the ascent.  Using rarely seen footage, and no narration other than the words of the expedition members themselves — culled from hours of archival interviews — Pooley recreates the conditions (including what seems now to be only the most rudimentary equipment), the relationships, and the socio-historical context of the undertaking that had much of the world holding its breath. The film takes us, step by step, as Hillary and Tenzing battle upwards — illustrating their setbacks, their small victories, and the remarkable strength of their bond. Although the pair was not expected to be the first team at the summit, the film probes the psyches of the two men and invites the viewer to ponder what made them triumphant over that most formidable antagonist, Everest.

"Having been a friend and colleague of Sir Ed for over three decades, I am very familiar with the story of that ground-breaking 1953 climb" said Zeke O'Connor, founder and past-president of the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation of Canada, "but 'Beyond the Edge' has brought to life this incredible story with images and depiction that have provided me a new way to appreciate how momentous this event was in mankind's ongoing engagement with nature.  I suggest that anyone with a sense of adventure is going to find this film to be an exhilarating recount of one of the world's most historic events."

"Beyond the Edge" is scheduled to be presented at the TIFF Bell Lighthouse 1 on Friday, September 6, at 4:15 p.m. and again at Scotiabank 2 on Sunday, September 8 (9:15 p.m.) and again on Saturday, September 14 (9:00 a.m.).

About the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation of Canada
The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation of Canada receives, maintains and distributes funds for the purpose of helping to preserve the heritage and to improve the quality of life of the people of the Solu Khumbu region of Nepal by contributing to health, education, conservation and reforestation programs.  More information can be found on their website www.thesiredmundhillaryfoundation.ca.

SOURCE: The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation of Canada

Contact for Media:
Zeke O'Connor
The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation of Canada
416-941-3315
[email protected]