For Immediate Release Contact: Jon Miller
May 11, 2005 (970) 481-7715
EVEREST DOCUMENTARY FEATURING LOCAL MOUNTAINEER AND FILMMAKER PREMIERES NATIONALLY MAY 14
Note to editors: Editors may preview a film clip of “Everest: The Other Side” by visiting HYPERLINK "http://www.XXXX" http://72.16.133.194/everest/everestfullsizeDV.mov; however, this link should not be published for public viewing. Electronic photos of filmmaker Jon Miller and mountaineer/producer Ben Clark are available at http://www.treelineproductions.com/preview/everestpressphotos.html. Interviews with Miller and Clark are available by calling the contact numbers above.
Fort Collins—The film “Everest: The Other Side,” a documentary that chronicles a young Colorado climber’s journey to the top of the world, will premiere nationally May 14 on Dish Network.
In the documentary, which will run through May 21 on Dish Network's pay per view service, filmmaker Jon Miller takes viewers on the Himalayan adventures of Fort Collins mountaineer Ben Clark. The 84 minute film is an eye-opening account of what goes into climbing the world’s tallest peak. This groundbreaking effort goes beyond the standard majestic scenery and technical aspects of a dangerous, arduous climb. It offers a rare glimpse into the climber’s physical and financial preparations; his 58 day journey around the world; his spiritual discoveries and friendship with a Lama; and the strong and immediate bonds shared with the international climbing community on Everest.
While the three day Everest climb and the thrill of reaching the summit is a highpoint of the film, and viewers are treated to many stunning shots of the Himalayan Range, it is the human and cultural element that makes this film unique.
Film highlights include a beautiful camp blessing ceremony conducted by a Lama from the Ronbuk Monastery, and a sensitive portrayal of the relationship between Clark and his two Sherpa climbing partners.
“The title ‘Everest: The Other Side’ has a double meaning,” said Miller. “We ascended the less traveled northern side in Tibet, but also we wanted to show the other side of this kind of expedition—shopping for 400 pounds of food and gear; hunkering down in basecamp passing days full of an odd mix of anxiety, boredom and excitement; and eating, praying, crying and celebrating with new friends from across the globe.”
Miller and Clark said they also attempted to debunk several misconceptions about Everest that many adventure films perpetuate. First, in the West, Everest is often portrayed as a savage mountain, not as a diety to the local people. Secondly, Everest climbers are often portrayed as extreme athletes. In this film, we see average people who share a big dream. The third myth Miller and Clark note is that Everest is often thought of individual pursuit, not as an international community that shares resources. The final misconception is that attaining the summit is the most important goal. This is the reason many to come to Everest, but this film eloquently recounts the incredible cultural experiences that are a part of the expedition.
“I believe that the cultural context that surrounds the mountains I climb is as important as what is I discover on the mountainside,” said Clark, who wrote and produced the film. “I feel a responsibility to share the sense of discovery with others who may or may not be climbers themselves. This film captures our cultural discoveries as well as accurately portraying the fundamental risks and rewards that accompany high altitude climbing.”
Miller owns TreeLine Productions, an award-winning production company based in Fort Collins. He has produced video work around the globe, including videos from 4,000 feet under the Continental Divide in Colorado, to 21,000 feet up on the flanks of Mount Everest in Tibet. Before launching TreeLine Productions, Miller built and operated the Northern Colorado Bureau for CNN Headline News Local Edition.
Clark, one of the most experienced young mountaineers in the world, has climbed on five continents. During 10 international expeditions, Clark has summitted 29,035’ Mount Everest; attempted two 8,000 meter peaks in the Himalayas; visited Central and South America five times; stood on top of 18,710' Pico De Orizaba twice in three attempts; guided on Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America; summitted twice and guided three times on the highest peak outside Asia, 22,841' Cerro Aconcagua; and topped out on the highest peak in Africa, 19,340' Mount Kilimanjaro. In the United States, his experience includes 23 ascents of Mount Rainier, the longest endurance climb in America; and more than 50 14,000' summits in the Rockies.
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