Beyond the Edge

Adventure, a mix of documentary and dramatic reenactments, following Kiwi mountaineering great Sir Edmund Hillary and his ascent of Mt. Everest. In 1953, with Tenzing Norgay, the pair become the first to reach the world's tallest summit. WETA visual effects artist Chad Moffitt makes his front-of-camera debut as Hillary. Directed by Leanne Pooley (The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls).

"Pooley transports the viewer back in time sixty years to the foot of that seemingly unconquerable mountain, and recreates an incredible journey to the top. While many know that Sir Edmund Hillary (Moffitt) and Tenzing Norgay (Sonam Sherpa) were the first men to stand on the summit, few know how it happened. 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." (Toronto Film Festival)