The Bottom Line
Shot against the glorious background of the Himalayas, this thrilling film follows six blind Tibetan teenagers as they embark on a life-changing expedition to climb to the 23,000 feet-high summit of Lhakpa Ri, a peak on the north side of Mount Everest.
Pros
- Six blind Tibetan teens show extrreme courage in taking on the challenge of climbing Mount Everest,
- A compelling story about great kids overcoming hardship.
- Beautiful cinematography of the awesome Himalayas
- Stirring soundtrack includes Tibetan chanting, traditional songs and the Beatles.
- DVD extras update you on how the teens fare following their adventure.
Cons
- Small screens don't do justice to the film's grandeur. See it as big as possible.
Description
- Sabriye and Erik must reach a middle ground when they disagree about whether it's too dangerous to proceed to the summit.
- DVD extra: Director Lucy Walker describes the difficulties of high altitude filming.
- DVD extra: The teens visit LA and NY to open the film, and enjoy the local attractions and activities--like hang gliding.
- DVD extra: close up and personal interviews with Erik, Sabriye and the teens.
Guide Review - Blindsight on DVD
After meeting the teenagers through Sabriye Tenberken's Braille Without Borders, an educational program for blind youngsters in Lhasa, the famed Colorado-based blind mountain climber Erik Weihenmayer suggested this Everest expedition as a way to help raise the kids' hope and belief in their abilities to live full and successful lives in Tibet, a country where the belief that blindness is punishment for bad deeds done during past lives prevails. These teens--and all Tibetan blind people--suffer enormous hardship and heartbreaking humiliation on a daily basis.<p>When offered what one of the girls calls a 'golden opportunity,' they eagerly step up to the mountain's challenge, an adventure that's dangerous even for experiences--and sighted--climbers. Their courage and willingness to 'just do it' is solidly inspiring.<p>Guided by Weihenmayer and his team of experienced American mountaineers, the teens trek to new heights of self esteem. They learn how to trust each other and work as a team. Their experience is outward bound in the extreme, and it keeps you completely engrossed while you root for them.
