Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»director Dianne Whelan is bringing her stunning new documentary, 40 Days At Base Camp, home. After an eight-week Canadian tour, the movie about what life is really like at the base of Mount Everest will be shown June 21 at Denman Cinema. The film recently received the Leo Award for Best Cinematography and Best Sound Editing in the documentary category.
WE: Sir Edmund Hilary said he wanted to climb Mount Everest because its there. Whats the motivation for todays climbers?
Dianne Whelan: The mountain has always been a metaphor for human ambition. So I believe personal ambition is at the root of the motivation. But the worlds highest mountain has also become the worlds highest stage. I met many climbers using the iconic status of the mountain to bring attention to all sorts of causes such as Crohns disease and Altzheimers. But there are also many corporations using Mt. Everest to sell products, to help brand their jackets, boots, tents, as rugged and durable. There are also countries still seeking to raise their flag on the worlds highest peak for nationalistic purposes.
What surprised you the most during your 40 days?
There were many surprises, such as the impact of working in an environment with only 50 per cent as much oxygen as here in Vancouver. And how long a chin hair can grow when you have not seen a mirror or shower for 50 days. But the most shocking thing was the emergence of dead bodies at base camp as the glacier melted over the 40 days on the mountain. First a human hand, then five bodies. And because Base Camp is a beehive with no queen, there is nobody in charge, so for weeks the dead bodies that emerged from the ice remained there, a constant reminder of all the frozen dreams dead on the mountain.
3. What would you say to someone who wants to climb Everest?
I have no judgement; I thought I would. Before I went I read a quote, an ancient Indian proverb that said, to know a people you must spend 40 days with them. Its true. Its easy, especially with the recent five deaths on the summit, one of which was a Canadian woman, to describe everyone going there as narcissistic. But if you actually get to know people life is more of a paradox; things can be both good and bad at the same time. For me, if you commercialize the sacred it loses its meaning. I have no desire to climb Everest. Getting into a traffic jam at 29,000 feet is not my idea of climbing. I like to climb high to go deep inside. But I have no judgement about someone elses dreams.
Screening is at Denman Cinema on June 21. Advanced tickets are available at Videomatica and Zulu Records or online at
