A major film production appears to have quietly rolled into Mt Cook, with locals tight-lipped about the details — but clues have revealed it maybe the upcoming biographical drama Tenzing.
The film, directed by Jennifer Peedom, tells the story of legendary Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and his historic 1953 Everest ascent alongside Sir Edmund Hillary.
The star-studded cast includes Tom Hiddleston as Hillary, Willem Dafoe as expedition leader John Hunt, and Caitríona Balfe in a supporting role. Recent photos show filming activity around the national park, with Dafoe spotted on set.
Though the crew has kept a low profile, a bit of digging has revealed Mt Cook is doubling as part of the Himalayan backdrop for this high-altitude drama.
Is it true that there isn’t a feature film about Sir Edmund Hillary – just a docudrama. “Beyond the Edge”
But they are going to paint this as Tenzings show?
Good on Hillary for having Tenzing work on the expedition – but getting on the top is only one side of Expedition Mountaineering – the man behind it was Hillary – although he was a grumpy driven man.