“I just want to be seen as another human being”

MY Everest

A UK-made feature documentary, platforming the voice of a physically disabled man (Max) who searches for social acceptance by attempting a world-first trek to Everest Base Camp - on horseback.

Yet when the mountain puts his life on the line, he’s forced to re-evaluate his original motivations, and question how far anyone should go, just to fit in.

‘My Everest’ interrogates the forces of toxic masculinity and ableism, while celebrating a disabled man for who he is as a person, and not for his disability.

Available to watch on Apple TV, Prime, NowTV + more: linktr.ee/myeverestfilm

RELEASE

Premiering at the BFI IMAX, London, ‘My Everest’ was released theatrically in the UK in over 20 cinemas, from Belfast to Birmingham, and Edinburgh to Kent.

The film is available on major streaming platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and Google Play. And the film will be released in North America later in 2023.

We are currently working on our impact campaign, a project created to maximise Max’s voice, and to use screenings, Q&A’s, talks, and workshops, to challenge perceptions and to create real change. We have already collaborated with the likes of BFI, BAFTA, and Fidelity Investments, and are open to working with like-minded organisations who want to empower disabled voices and smash prejudice.

REVIEWS

4* The Times
”Its Himalayan vistas are a bonus, and there's a piquant, unusual ending.... Perhaps not all plans for proving yourself are wise”

4* Film Review
“The vistas along the way are particularly well judged being impressive but not overindulged. There have, of course, been very many other documentaries concerned with mountains such as Everest, but this one stands apart due to the subject of disability playing such a crucial role”

4* Set The Tape
”A nuanced work that does not allow itself to settle for a binary position of the expedition having been either a folly or a triumph, it stands as an entertaining testament to a man that in trying to prove he would not let his condition define him”

New Scientist
”Through intimate interactions and stunning cinematography, director Woods follows each step of the journey with compassion and care”

 the journey so far

Max, Giles, and Livi (on the horse, above the horse, and below the horse, in the photo above!) meet at RDA in London. They’ve just come back from riding in Hyde Park, where Max shares his dream - to climb a mountain on horseback. Expecting some laughs, Max is surprised when Livi and Giles take the idea serious. “Yeah, you can do that”. And so the idea was born, and what began as a pipe-dream soon turned into a a fundraiser and international trek.

Max has had to receive support his entire life, and climbing a mountain would require even more support. The team expanded, bringing on board some friends, a physio, a vet, and the film team. It was in early 2017 when Carl (the director) first met Max. What was meant to be a voluntary role to help with filming for the fundraiser, turned into something much more. Getting to know Max, his story, and his battles, Carl realised that this wasn’t just a guy going up a mountain, but a story of a disabled man and how his entire life had led to this point.

March 2018; we fly into Nepal, watching with awe as we pass the peaks of the Himilayas. Only for moments later for us to be beginning our ascent up those very mountains, and for Max to begin what would his toughest and most dangerous adventure he would ever face. 14 days. 90km of riding. And some very painful moments.

Post-Everest has been in a whirlwind of events, talks, and appearances for Max; having raised over £70,000 for RDA from his Everest trek, Max has been in-demand to share his story. Over 6 years, the film team have been close to Max, capturing his daily life. We see a man who is still fighting every day to advocate for equality, feeling the pain of Everest on his body, and asking the simple question that motivates the film; “Why did I really do Everest?”

We want you to be enticed by Max’s story, for disabled audiences to see proper representation on the big screen, and for non-disabled audiences to gain insight and understanding in a community many don’t see or communicate with.

Over the past 3 years we have been working with the disabled community, and Max, to create a film that platforms Max’s voice with authenticity and respect. We are very excited to have shared ‘My Everest’ to UK audiences, and can not wait to bring the film to communities large and small across not just the UK, but also the entire world.

If you would like to organise your own screening, please give us an email and we can provide the film and education resources to kickstart your conversation about ableism and Max’s journey to find self-worth.