‘Tenzing’: Apple TV announces film recounting the conquest of Everest

Apple TV has announced an upcoming original feature film, Tenzing, which will be released on the platform on October 16 followed by its theatrical release on October 9. Directed by Jennifer Peedom, the film stars Genden Phuntsok, Tom Hiddleston, Willem Dafoe and Caitríona Balfe in pivotal roles.

The film tells the story of Himalayan climber Tenzing Norgay, who along with mountaineer Edmund Hillary were the first ones to summit Mount Everest. After being encouraged by his wife, Dawa (Thinley Lhamo), Tenzing finds an ally in his expedition secretary Jill Henderson (Caitríona Balfe).

“Where Western climbers see Everest as something to be conquered, Tenzing reveres Chomolungma as the sacred mother goddess. What follows is an ascent defined as much by the tensions between backgrounds, classes and competing ambitions as by the perils of the mountain itself,” read the synopsis shared by the makers in a press release.

The film is written by Luke Davies, based on a story by him and Peedom. It is produced by Jennifer Peedom, Luke Davies, Liz Watts and Emile Sherman.

Director Jennifer Peedom is known for making nature documentaries, including Sherpa (2015) and Mountain (2017).