The Seventh Summit
Special Screening - Ajyal Youth Film Festival 2017
Elia Youssef / Feature Documentary / Qatar / 2016 / 65 min / Colour / DCP2K / In Arabic, English / English subtitles / Middle East Premiere
Rated: Parental guidance is advised. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.
Synopsis
In the world of mountain climbing, the Seven Summits Challenge is a premier mountaineering adventure that involves scaling the highest peak on each of the seven continents. To date, fewer than 350 people the world over have succeeded in this astonishing accomplishment. ‘The Seventh Summit’ follows a group of men and one woman in their attempt to make it to the top of Mount Denali in Alaska – the highest point in North America. Among the climbers are Qatar’s own Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani and Raed Zadan, respectively the first Qatari and the first Palestinian to climb Mount Everest; Sheikh Mohammed’s Iranian friend Massoud Kalafji; and Suzanne Al Houby, the first Arab woman to scale Everest.
All these climbers have only to reach the top of Mount Denali to complete their Seven Summits – but Denali is especially challenging, and the success rate for getting to the top is a mere 40 or 50 per cent. Indeed, Al Houby has failed on three previous attempts due to extreme weather conditions. Against the stunning backdrop of the snowy Alaskan peaks, this group of seasoned mountaineers gamely faces their challenge – and are soon faced with the longest storm ever recorded on Denali. Relying on skill and hope, they push on in the hopes of realising their lofty dream.
About the Director
Elia Youssef was born in Beirut in 1986. He completed studies in Filmmaking and has attended many film workshops around the world. Over the past decade, has worked on various projects, including music videos, television commercials, television shows and documentary films. He likes to broaden his horizons by meeting and working with people from different cultures, and setting out on new adventures. Being passionate about sports, travelling the world and life in general, Youssef’s hopes to soar to higher levels of success.
Credits
- Director
- Elia Youssef
- Producer
- Elia Youssef
- Editor
- Zeina Al Khatib
- Executive Producer
- Mohammed Al Thani, Raed Zidan
- Music
- Cedric Kayem
- Cinematographer
- Damian Benegas, Nils Bailey, Bachir Hajj, Elia Youssef, Elia Saikaly
- Production Company
- Altitude Media
- Cast
- With Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani, Raed Zidan, Masoud Kalafji, Suzanne Alhouby