In May, 16 UAE Armed Forces personnel successfully scaled Mount Everest, becoming the largest military team in the region to accomplish the ascent. Embedded with them was a National Geographic team comprised of four production staff members at base camp and two high altitude cameramen.
The breathtaking footage that they captured of the journey has now been made into a film, all set to premiere on National Geographic Abu Dhabi (NGAD) on December 7.
Mission Everest — The UAE Military Team is a 40-minute story of bravery, determination and some really scary moments, says executive producer Alex Al Chami, whose team filmed about 36 hours of footage and spent five months on post-production.
Ahead of its premiere, the 36-year-old told Gulf News tabloid! what really went into making a film like Mission Everest — The UAE Military Team.
At what point of the expedition did National Geographic Abu Dhabi get involved?
NGAD got involved in this project at the very early stages when the UAE Armed Forces team was still training for the expedition. We carefully studied the documentary with the armed forces and agreed on the importance of covering such an epic journey from the first days of preparation. This helps audiences relate [to] the characters better.
How many production crew members did you have? How many UAE Army members?
The production team on the mountain consisted of four production staff at base camp and two high altitude cameraman. The UAE army team consisted of 12 UAE Armed Forces personnel and the experienced trainers.
Besides the obvious challenges (of the elements), what other preparations did the production team have to go through?
We had to prepare our camp at Everest base camp, which was the base [of] all operation[s] of our production. We needed internet, an edit facility, medical and rescue support, just like any other expedition. The selected cameramen that we had on the mountain are highly skilled high altitude cameramen who have been on mountaineering expeditions before so they didn’t need much preparation. The equipment was selected and packed carefully beforehand to work to our advantage during the climb.
What was the budget for such a film?
Everest is the biggest and toughest production that National Geographic Abu Dhabi has ever done.
Was any special equipment used? For example, how did you ensure your devices were always powered in such difficult terrain?
There [was] no special equipment per se but we had to choose what cameras to use, when and where. The higher we went the lighter we wanted the gear to be. We had planned our equipment and battery lives based on the trips that we were making from base camp up the mountain. We had enough batteries to last until our return back to base camp. Our equipment varied between Sony F55, Sony PMWs, Canon 5Ds, Nikon D7s and Go Pros.
What would you say was the biggest challenge of the trek?
The biggest challenge was to document and be close to the action while it was happening. Don’t forget that our team was climbing, too, but they had to not only focus on the climb but to also make a film out of it.
What were some of the really scary moments?
There was a surfeit of scary moments and not only moments but of many scary hours. Snow storms, altitude sickness and lack of vision. But with all that, we are proud that we came back with amazing footage that made a great film.
Are there moments that will stay with you for a long time? Tell us some of them.
There are some that will stay with the team but we were all in it together. I can’t say more than that.
Among all the productions you’ve been part of, where does ‘Mission Everest — The UAE Military Team’ stand?
Mission Everest — The UAE Military Team is by far the most challenging production I have ever been on. It was a rollercoaster full of surprises and unexpected moments. I am very proud to have taken part in such a great project. I can see myself telling stories about this project to my kids and grandkids.
What’s the best reaction or feedback you’ve received so far about the film?
The film has only been viewed by a very small group of people from NGAD and the Armed Forces until now, all of whom have contributed greatly to its making and to its success. We all love it and we all think it is a great film that is packed with emotions, has a strong human element and is very true to the hardship of mountaineering in general and to Everest in specific.
Don’t miss it
Mission Everest — The UAE Military Team premieres on National Geographic Abu Dhabi on December 7 at 10pm. The film is in Arabic but with English subtitles.
