K2 and the Invisible Footmen
The indigenous porters who for decades have facilitated the ascent of the world's most extreme mountain
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Iara Lee, activist & filmmaker, is the founder of the Cultures of Resistance Network. She collaborates with agitators, educators, artists, and changemakers around the world to build global solidarity through creative resistance and nonviolent action. Iara has produced several shorts & full-length documentaries to promote conflict prevention and resolution, and is working on a variety of humanitarian, arts & culture diplomacy projects.
Jawad Sharif is a Pakistani filmmaker, cinematographer, and editor. He has an unusual talent for revealing surprising human moments all with unparalleled craft and creativity. His work is always looking into dark corners, finding the light, and addressing the themes of justice, transformation, and healing. His production company Bipolar Films is comprised of a seasoned team of award-winning cinematographers, editors and producers.
The film K2 AND THE INVISIBLE FOOTMEN is director Iara Lee's gift to Pakistan, a country she loves and respects very much. It was a dream for her to film the trek to K2. The occasion coincided with the 60th anniversary of the first ascent of K2 by the Italians. On that occasion, Ali Mehdi, a Pakistani porter who had helped the Italian expedition, lost all his toes to frostbite, so the film has been dedicated to him and to the true unsung heroes of K2, the porters. They are superhuman, and once you see inside their lives, its really hard not to care.