PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest
Film poster for "PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest" with woman in snow hiking gear on top of mountain.
PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest
Film poster for "PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest" with woman in snow hiking gear on top of mountain.
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa battled racism, gender discrimination, and political opposition in her quest to become the first Nepali woman to summit Mt Everest

PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest

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CHARLIE FOWLER BEST ADVENTURE FILM - MountainFilm | BEST FILM, MOUNTAIN CULTURE - BANFF Mountain Film Festival | SCREENED IN OVER 30 FESTIVALS WORLDWIDE AND WON 15 AWARDS

Human Rights • Women's Rights • Women's Studies • Women's Empowerment • Indigenous Studies • Ethnic Studies • Buddhism • South Asia • Nepal • Mountaineering

Date of Completion: 2022 | Run Time: 71 minutes​​ | Language: English, French & Nepali with French & Spanish subtitles | Captions: Yes | Includes: Transcript | Director: Nancy SvendsenProducers: Nancy Svendsen, Sharon Wood & Christy McGill | Writer: Sharon Wood | Editor: Jeffrey Friedman | Composer: Todd Boekelheide | Associate Producer: Andrea Pierpont

PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest chronicles Pasang Lhamu Sherpa’s tragic and inspiring journey to become the first Nepali woman to summit Everest in 1993. As an uneducated, indigenous woman and a Buddhist in a Hindu kingdom, Pasang’s dream to scale the legendary mountain pits her against family, foreign climbers, her own government, and nature itself. Her determined pursuit of Everest plays out within the context of her nation’s quest for democracy and the emergence of the commercial climbing industry. As told by the Nepalis who knew her, by some of the world's most notable alpinists, and by Pasang herself, her historic quest would transfix her country and uplift a new generation's belief in its possibilities.

Educational Media Reviews Online | Reviewed by Katelynn Telford, Music Librarian, Digital Services Librarian, SUNY Fredonia
Highly Recommended
"[I]ntertwines a compelling narrative with well-executed cinematography to convey the age-old theme of triumphing over adversity."

Film Threat
Pasang: In the Shadow of Everest does its heroine justice...It will be remembered for shining a light on this untold powerful story about a woman who decided to have it all and realize her dream her way.”

Reel News Daily
“Just in time for Womens’ History month, this film is a poignant example of the many untold tales of female heroism that are frequently under-recognized. Pasang: In The Shadow of Everest is an inspiring story that deserves the attention and recognition of international audiences.”

Reel News Daily
“Filmmaker Nancy Svendsen does a lovely job presenting Pasang’s tenacity and determination, which boldly shines through...”

Golden Globes
“The new documentary, Pasang: In the Shadow of Everest brings to life the untold and inspiring story of her emotional, physical and political journey to the world’s highest peak.”

Jury, Mountainfilm, Telluride
“The film chronicles an unsung hero, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa’s tragic and inspiring journey to become the first Nepali woman to summit Chomolungma in 1993. The story is brilliantly captured through rarely seen archival footage and the words of Nepali friends and relatives. Her determined pursuit to climb the mountain plays out within the context of her nation’s quest for democracy and political upheaval and is a hitherto untold tale that fits today’s emerging trend of Indigenous reclamation of the Himalaya. This combined with Pasang’s spirit and determination makes this the perfect winner for the Charlie Fowler Best Adventure award.”

Jury, BANFF Mountain FF, Banff, Canada
"Many of the best-known mountaineers become icons because they are visionaries who will stop at nothing to reach their goals and who refuse to give up, even after utter failure, often repeatedly. This intimate portrait expertly mixes archival footage, family video and interviews with world-renowned mountaineers reflecting on their place in the story. By layering personal, cultural, and political barriers, this multifaceted story shows how Pasang Lhamu Sherpa spends her life overcoming, in order to become the first Nepalese woman to summit Mount Everest. Huge congratulations and thanks to Nancy Svendsen and team for celebrating this unsung hero."

Norbu Tenzing Norgay
“Pasang is the story of one woman’s courageous and long journey to become the first Nepali woman to climb Chomolungma (Mt. Everest) in a sport and culture dominated by men. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa prevails against the political, cultural, and class barriers to pave the path for women in the Himalayas to fight for equality and to follow their dreams.”

Screened in over 30 festivals worldwide and won 15 awards

AWARDS
Charlie Fowler Best Adventure Film |
Mountainfilm Festival
Honorable Mention, Jury Award, Documentary Feature | Bentonville Film Festival
Audience Award, AICEF Prize for Cross-Cultural Filmmaking, Clio Visualizing History Prize for the Advancement of Women in Film | Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival
Audience Award | Nevada City Film Festival
Audience Award, Best Film of Festival | BendFilm Festival
Best Film - Mountain Culture | Banff Centre Mountain Film & Book Festival
Best Spirit Award | Coast Film and Music Festival
Best Mountain Film | Kendal Mountain Festival
Best Mountain Culture & Nature Film | BBK Mendi Film Festival
Best Mountaineering Film | Festival Gorniskega Filma
Jury Special Mention | Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival
Best Feature Wild Spirit Award | New York Wild Film Festival
Mario Bello Award CCC - Club Alpino Italiano | Trento Film Festival

FESTIVALS
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
RiverRun International Film Festival - Films with Class, Special Selection
Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival
Bozeman Doc Series
Berkshire International Film Festival
Mendocino Film Festival
Breckenridge Film Festival
San Francisco Green Film Festival - Opening Night Selection
United Nations Association Film Festival
Orlando Film Festival
Friday Harbor Film Festival
Doctober Film Festival
Virginia Film Festival
Femmes en Montagne Film Festival
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival
Nordic Adventure Film Festival
Der Berg Ruft
Boulder International Film Festival
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Trento Film Festival

SCREENINGS
Bowers Museum
Asia Society
SF Asian Art Museum