Blindsight

This interesting documentary tells a remarkable tale of an expedition to take blind Tibetan children trekking in the Himalayas; but also of a personality clash between two remarkable people. On one hand, there is Erik Weihenmeyer, the first blind man to climb Everest, and the team of (sighted) mountaineers who are guiding the kids. On the other, there is Sabriye Tenberken, a blind woman who runs the first school for blind Tibetans, who agrees to the expedition but subsequently has doubts about how it is progressing. At some level, Sabine simply doesn't understand the mountaineer's philosophy (with it's emphasis on summitting); she is probably right in identifying the mismatch between the mountaineers goals and the desires of the children but her certainty in her own correctness makes her a hard person to sympathise with, especially as she has an effective veto. In the background to this (reasonably well-mannered) clash, we get an insight into the lives of the children themselves. I enjoyed the film, although it delivers a message clearly designed to be uplifting - even though it details the quarrel, the film somewhat relentlessly asserts how amazing all those who feature in it are. But it's hard to argue with that assessment, even if it is presented to the viewer somewhat unsubtly.

A brave woman went to Tibet through emotional things. She exactly was believed to her goals. In Tibet common faith was blind human beings did bad things in their past life. Therefore, they were born as blind in new life. Unfortunately, was surprised when I saw the information on the doc and realized that couldn't research to sources enough about Tibetan culture as subject that I love. At this point Sabriye showing us that one of cultural things could be updated as positive in today. She gave a hand to insivible teenagers that we had no idea before. It is necessary to congratulate her, climber Eric and all friends who help to them. I paused the doc on several breathtaking scenes for I've dream about to be in that ice palace many years. All of these are showing to viewers that most important thing is to be on the road with high motivation before conquest your goals. The documentary that touching to hearts deserves to be knows more more by people. Shouldn't miss this doc that showing there are good human beings.

Every once in a while a film comes along that makes you want to forgot about everything else and change the world. BLINDSIGHT is one of these films! Blindsight is a gripping adventure of six blind Tibetan teenagers who set out to climb the 23,000 ft mountain right next to Mount Everest. The teenagers are brought together by Sabriye Tenberken, who opened a school for the blind in Tibet. She and her students with the help of Erik Weihenmayer (the first blind person to summit Everest) set out to prove that they are no less able than their seeing counterparts.

This film captures both the arguments of the climbers as well as their frustrations, despair and exhilaration towards the end.

Blindsight is a must see for everyone! Visually it is riveting and the landscape is nothing short of breathtaking. When I saw this film in Toronto it was a really moving experience and one that I would recommend to everyone. Well done to those involved!!!

Just got out and cannot believe what a brilliant documentary this is. Rarely do you walk out of a movie theater in such awe and amazement. Lately movies have become so over hyped that the thrill of discovering something truly special and unique rarely happens. Amores Perros did this to me when it first came out and this movie is doing to me now. I didn't know a thing about this before going into it and what a surprise. If you hear the concept you might get the feeling that this is one of those touchy movies about an amazing triumph covered with over the top music and trying to have us fully convinced of what a great story it is telling but then not letting us in. Fortunetly this is not that movie. The people tell the story! This does such a good job of capturing every moment of their involvement while we enter their world and feel every second with them. There is so much beyond the climb that makes everything they go through so much more tense. Touching the Void was also a great doc about mountain climbing and showing the intensity in an engaging way but this film is much more of a human story. I just saw it today but I will go and say that this is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen.

Before seeing this, I was put off by the subject matter, but this is not your average triumph over adversity story. Although this is technically about blind Tibetan kids climbing Mt. Everest, there is so much more to it. This movie shows the very strong, often contradictory personalities of two highly accomplished blind adults leading the children, Erik and Sabriye. Erik is an American blind mountain climber/athlete and Sabriye is a blind German academic who started a school in Lhasa Tibet. They are both exceptional in their own ways, but disagree on what will really build confidence in the kids. Erik wants them to reach the summit while Sabriye wants them to enjoy Erik as a role model and take pleasure in moment. The nuances are complicated and one walks away not really being sure who was right or if the whole climb was a mistake or a great idea. The most profound scenes are with the Tibetan children themselves and the hardships they faced before finding their way to the school. The most moving for me was the story of Tashi, a frail teenager who grew up on the streets after his parents abandoned him. I could watch a whole movie on his life and was happy to learn that thanks to the school, he is now running a successful small business with some of his fellow students. If you liked Spellbound or Murderball, you will love this.