Episode 248: Lucy Walker - Ways of Seeing

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What happens when one of the world's foremost documentary filmmakers turns her lens on the world of action sports and mountain culture in vital films such as Mountain Queen and The Crash Reel?

That’s the question at the heart of this conversation with the brilliant Lucy Walker, a filmmaker who I think is one of the most important nonfiction storytellers of our era.

Bold statement, perhaps, but one I'm happy to stand by – and I think if you've seen Lucy's work, you'll likely agree.

Take her exceptional The Crash Reel, which documented Kevin Pearce's traumatic brain injury and its aftermath. What struck me immediately was how Lucy avoided the typical pitfalls that usually stymie outsiders when they attempt to tell action sports stories.

Here, clearly, was a grown-up, accomplished filmmaker at the height of her powers creating something that was nuanced, cerebral, and an important contribution to our culture.

Since then, I've followed Lucy's career closely, which brings us to her latest triumph – Mountain Queen – the story of Lhakpa Sherpa, ostensibly about the most successful female Everest summiteer of all time, but in typical Lucy Walker fashion, about so much more.

I won't explain further because if you haven't seen it yet, it's streaming on Netflix, and I'd rather you experience firsthand the craft, guile, artistry, wit, and intelligence with which Lucy approaches her subjects.

I've wanted to interview Lucy for years and, with some help from our mutual pal Jamie Brisick, we made it happen on Lucy’s last trip to London.

What follows is an in-depth exchange about documentary filmmaking, storytelling, and the unique lens through which Lucy views the world – whether that’s the mountains of Nepal or the wildfire-ravaged landscapes of California (the subject of Bring Your Own Brigade, another of her must-see documentaries).

It's a conversation that goes well beyond action sports into questions of representation, climate change, the craft of documentary film-making, and what it means to truly capture someone's story.

I had a great time chatting to Lucy, who really opened up about her career process and influences.

Once you’ve listened, I’d love to hear what you think.

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