KATHMANDU: Renowned Nepali climber and member of Parliament Mingma Gyabu (David) Sherpa has criticized the recently released documentary The Last First: Winter K2, calling on Apple TV to provide transparency regarding footage ownership, authorization, and commercial use.

The documentary focuses on the winter attempt on K2 by the late Ali Sadpara and John Snorri. It also features Nepali climbers, including late Nirmal Purja, known as “Nimsdai.” The documentary and related public reactions have highlighted tensions over expedition ethics, including Nimsdai’s stance on and comments about pulling or cutting ropes used by other foreign or trailing climbers on the mountain.

“Documenting the historic K2 winter expedition is important, but so is respecting the rights and dignity of those who made history,” said Mingma David, who was also part of the first winter K2 expedition, in a statement.

Expressing serious concerns about the documentary’s factual representation, subtitle translations, and use of his footage and images of Nepali climbers in the Apple TV-distributed film, Sherpa who shares climbing business with Nimsdai asked: “Who provided our footage? Was it obtained with proper authorization? Were the rightful owners and climbers asked for consent?

“My team and I have serious concerns that our footage, images, and words were used without permission.”

According to Sherpa, Himalayan guides and Sherpas have been exploited by filmmakers for decades. “This colonial mindset must end. Nepali climbers deserve equal respect, fairness, and recognition,” he said.

“On behalf of my team and the Nepali climbers featured, I respectfully call on the production company and Apple TV to provide transparency regarding footage ownership, authorization, and its commercial use,” Sherpa said in a statement.

Sherpa said that telling the story of the mountains matters, and that respecting the rights of those who lived and documented that history matters equally.

“We hope this matter will be addressed transparently, professionally, and with respect for everyone involved,” he added.