Everest from Within

In May 2000, four Canadians set off on an expedition to climb the perilous north side of Mount Everest without the use of oxygen or sherpas. The majestic Himalayas form the backdrop for this documentary as the four try to conquer the mythical top of the world. Anxiety, courage, friendship and rivalry : the group's ordeal gives us a rare insight into the human condition under stress, and, while immobilised on the edge of the mountain by extreme weather conditions, we can share, as if we were there, the emotions and tensions that afflict the group's solidarity; threatening the dream of attaining the summit itself.

Do they possess what it takes to succeed in such a hostile environment or is the journey just one of coming to terms with their own limitations? Whatever the outcome, the group managed to capture these breathtaking images from the heavens, and deliver a moving testimony to the fragility of humankind while confronted by the mighty forces of nature.