New Film Finally Puts Tenzing Norgay in the Center of His Own Story

For decades, the story of the first Everest summit got told one way: Edmund Hillary did it, and a Sherpa helped. That reduction has haunted Tenzing Norgay's legacy. Director Jennifer Peedom's new Apple Original film, debuting at Zurich Film Festival, flips the script entirely.

Tenzing wasn't just a supporting character in someone else's achievement. He was the most experienced climber on that mountain—the one who'd summited before, who knew Everest's moods and dangers better than anyone else in the group. He was the protagonist the whole time; the historical record just buried him.

"Tenzing" centers his skill, his vision, and his voice. Not as a footnote to Hillary's triumph, but as the main story. It's the kind of reframe that should've happened years ago, but better late than never.

The film hits theaters and Apple TV+ later, but Zurich is where it premiers. This is the kind of corrective cinema that actually matters—not because it's "woke," but because it's honest about who did what work.

Read the full story at Variety → https://variety.com/2026/film/global/jennifer-peedom-tenzing-genden-phuntsok-tom-hiddleston-1236874052/