YOUR GUIDE TO THIS WEEK’S NEW CINEMA RELEASES

Just two new movies this week… a documentary and a German historical drama.

TOP PICK

A fight on Everest? It seemed incredible. But in 2013 news channels around the world reported an ugly brawl at 21,000ft as European climbers fled a mob of angry Sherpas. In 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay had reached the summit in a spirit of co-operation and brave optimism. Now climbers and Sherpas were trading insults – even blows. What had happened to the happy, smiling Sherpas and their dedication in getting foreigners to the top of the mountain they hold so sacred? Determined to explore what was going on, the filmmakers set out to make a film of the 2014 Everest climbing season, from the Sherpas’ point of view. Instead, they captured a tragedy that would change Everest forever. At 6.45am on 18th April, 2014, a 14,000 ton block of ice crashed down onto the climbing route through the Khumbu Icefall, killing 16 Sherpas. It was the worst tragedy in the history of Everest. The disaster provoked a drastic reappraisal about the role of the Sherpas in the Everest industry. SHERPA, tells the story of how, in the face of fierce opposition, the Sherpas united in grief and anger to reclaim the mountain they call Chomolungma. The New York Times’s Ken Jaworowski describes it as, ‘An exceptionally absorbing documentary.’ I saw it today — it’s very good. My review coming soon. People **** | Critics ****1/2

OTHERS TO SEE

LABYRINTH OF LIES is a story that exposes the conspiracy of prominent German institutions and government branches to cover up the crimes of Nazis during World War II. Slant Magazine’s Oleg Ivanov says, ‘It only scratches the surface of the mass psychological wounds and trauma that the trials unleashed on the Germany psyche.’ I can’t find it showing near me so it must be in limited release. Critics ***

That’s it for this week. See you at the movies!

NOTE Movie summaries are adaptations of movie summary on IMDB. Opinions are mine unless credited. These updates are written from an Australian perspective so openings of the movies in cinemas may vary in other parts of the world.