Climb your own Everest and do the best that you can do, rather than try to fill society's expectations
'My Everest' documents the naïve excitement as well as the darkest lows of Max Stainton's journey as he conquers Everest Base Camp. However, Max is disabled with cerebral palsy and struggles with basic tasks that most people take for granted. Despite his lack of coordination, Max undergoes two years of training in preparation of the mountainous challenge.
As an avid horseback rider, Max and his partner Candy along with a team of Sherpas and Rocky the horse, treks the Everest Base Camp Trail. The initial anticipation soon dissipates into fear, as Max realises he underestimated the physicality of the challenge, as well as the excruciating pain exerted on his body to get to Base Camp.
The adventure film captures close-up footage of the trail whilst the contrast between the diminutiveness of humanity against the soaring Himalayan mountains is mind-blowing. However, the documentary also provides insight into the emotional battles and the physical toll on Max, who admits wanting to quit at one stage. At this point, the trek was no longer about defying expectations and breaking down societal prejudice, but one of survival as the impact of each step caused acute pain and damage to his hips.
Despite his physical suffering, Max and his team manage to overcome the strenuous, long climb to reach Base Camp. Whilst settled back home in England, Max becomes a minor celebrity, making media appearances to share his story. However, behind the confident façade, Max reveals his scars from the conquest of Base Camp, which has left him traumatised and more disabled than before. The documentary also touches upon the culture of toxic masculinity which ultimately lands young men in dangerous situations, of which Max was not immune to, just to prove their worth to society, highlighting the fine line between bravery and recklessness.
The final moments of the candid interview with Max and Candy discloses their regrets as to why Max undertook such a challenge in the first place. Whilst at the start of the film, Max does not want to simply exist as society expects of disabled people, he wants to live his life without being boxed-in, step outside his comfort zones, and rebel in his own way. However, towards the end of the film, the enlightened Max realises that he never needed to climb the Everest to prove people wrong or to be liked, as it is clear his family and friends clearly support and love him regardless.
As an avid horseback rider, Max and his partner Candy along with a team of Sherpas and Rocky the horse, treks the Everest Base Camp Trail. The initial anticipation soon dissipates into fear, as Max realises he underestimated the physicality of the challenge, as well as the excruciating pain exerted on his body to get to Base Camp.
The adventure film captures close-up footage of the trail whilst the contrast between the diminutiveness of humanity against the soaring Himalayan mountains is mind-blowing. However, the documentary also provides insight into the emotional battles and the physical toll on Max, who admits wanting to quit at one stage. At this point, the trek was no longer about defying expectations and breaking down societal prejudice, but one of survival as the impact of each step caused acute pain and damage to his hips.
Despite his physical suffering, Max and his team manage to overcome the strenuous, long climb to reach Base Camp. Whilst settled back home in England, Max becomes a minor celebrity, making media appearances to share his story. However, behind the confident façade, Max reveals his scars from the conquest of Base Camp, which has left him traumatised and more disabled than before. The documentary also touches upon the culture of toxic masculinity which ultimately lands young men in dangerous situations, of which Max was not immune to, just to prove their worth to society, highlighting the fine line between bravery and recklessness.
The final moments of the candid interview with Max and Candy discloses their regrets as to why Max undertook such a challenge in the first place. Whilst at the start of the film, Max does not want to simply exist as society expects of disabled people, he wants to live his life without being boxed-in, step outside his comfort zones, and rebel in his own way. However, towards the end of the film, the enlightened Max realises that he never needed to climb the Everest to prove people wrong or to be liked, as it is clear his family and friends clearly support and love him regardless.
- apple_kim_uk
- Jul 25, 2023