For Angela Yeung, watching Tenzing was never going to be just another film premiere.
The South African mountaineer and humanitarian attended Thursday’s London premiere of the film at The Curzon Mayfair, where the story of Everest’s historic ascent resonated with her own experience of reaching the summit.
Directed by Jennifer Peedom, Tenzing follows the life of Tenzing Norgay, played by Genden Phuntsok, and his historic ascent of Mount Everest alongside Edmund Hillary, portrayed by Tom Hiddleston.
The film is set to premiere in select cinemas on 9 October, before its global release on Apple TV on 16 October 2026.
From Cape Town to the Himalayas
Yeung, a jewellery entrepreneur and philanthropist, knows the demands of high-altitude mountaineering first-hand.
She summited Mount Everest in 2025 following a 50-day expedition via the North Side route.
Her climb also carried a humanitarian purpose.
The expedition supported the Impilo Collection Foundation’s campaign to provide bras to women and girls affected by gender-based violence (GBV) and vulnerable living conditions in South Africa.
That personal connection made the London screening particularly powerful.
“Watching Tenzing was deeply emotional for me, particularly as a mountaineer who has spent considerable time in the Himalayas and summitted Everest,” said Yeung.
Seeing Tenzing Through His Own Story
The film explores Tenzing Norgay’s life, the relationships that sustained him and the international attention that followed his successful 1953 Everest ascent with Edmund Hillary.
The story also examines Norgay’s place in history as the first global celebrity from the Sherpa community.
For Yeung, one of the film’s greatest strengths was its perspective.
“What I loved most was seeing this extraordinary chapter of history told from Tenzing Norgay’s perspective, with Genden Phuntsok bringing such humanity and dignity to the role and Jennifer Peedom directing the story with remarkable sensitivity,” she said.
The experience also took her straight back to the Himalayas.
“The attention to detail was exceptional. The music, breathtaking scenery and personal relationships transported me straight back to the Himalayan region. I could all but feel the mountains again,” Yeung added.
Nobody Reaches the Summit Alone
Yeung found herself relating closely to the challenges depicted on screen.
Her own experience at high altitude gave her a direct connection to the hardships faced by mountaineers, including unpredictable weather, physical exhaustion and difficult decisions.
She also recognised something deeper in the story.
“Having experienced high-altitude mountaineering myself, I could relate deeply to the hardships portrayed – the unpredictable weather, physical exhaustion, difficult decisions, perseverance, and above all, the partnership and trust required to survive in that environment,” she said.
The experience reinforced one of the film’s central messages for her.
“The film captures something that is sometimes forgotten when we celebrate a summit: nobody gets there alone.”
A Love Story Beyond the Mountain
Yeung attended the premiere with Zambian-born BBC News anchor Lukwesa Burak, who was also moved by the film.
Burak described Tenzing as a “fantastic love story in two parts”.
She reflected first on Tenzing’s relationship with the mountain itself.
“First was Tenzing’s love for the mother goddess,” said Burak.
She explained that “Mother Goddess” is the name of Everest in the local language and culture, describing the mountain as a revered presence that the British wanted to conquer.
For Burak, that respect for the mountain came through clearly in the film.
A Remarkable Red-Carpet Encounter
Burak’s evening at the premiere also brought unexpected connections to Tenzing’s story.
On the red carpet, she was asked by a woman to help take some photographs. The photographs turned out to be of Tenzing’s grandson, Norbu Norgay.
Burak described him as “the sweetest young man”.
She also met the grandson of the British woman who supported Tenzing and fought for him.
The two spent the evening together before he revealed his identity to her.
“I loved the visual elements and the cinematography, particularly towards the end,” Burak said.
She then looked across at Yeung and reflected on her own achievement.
“I just sat there and looked across at Angela, who was sitting behind me and thought, ‘You did that.’ I was in awe.”
More Than Reaching the Summit
For Yeung, Tenzing ultimately reaches beyond the physical achievement of climbing Everest.
She believes the film offers audiences an opportunity to look beyond the famous summit and understand the person at the centre of the historic achievement.
“Tenzing’s not simply a story about reaching the summit of Everest. It is a story about courage, identity, partnership and the human spirit,” Yeung said.
“I hope audiences will come away seeing not only a historic achievement, but the remarkable man behind it.”
For a South African who stood on Everest herself, the London premiere offered a powerful full-circle moment.
A historic mountain.
A legendary ascent.
And a film that brought one mountaineer’s own Himalayan memories rushing back.
