Inoxtag's "Kaizen": a successful but heavily criticized documentary

the documentary Kaizen, retracing the ascent of Everest by the YouTuber Inoxtag, is enjoying immense success, but is also the subject of strong criticism. Broadcast on YouTube with more than 18 million views in a few days, this project of surpassing oneself is sparking a debate around several sensitive points.

One of the first criticisms concerns the ecological impact of this adventure. The documentary does not mention the greenhouse gas emissions generated by plane and helicopter travel, as well as the waste produced during the ascent, thus pointing out a gap between the feat achieved and current environmental issues.

Moreover, the overcrowding of Everest is denounced by some mountaineers. Although Inoxtag acknowledges this problem in his film, he unintentionally contributes to it by drawing attention to this mountain already saturated with climbers. "It's schizophrenic," deplores Pascal Tournaire, mountaineer and photographer.

The use of Sherpas, who are essential to the climb, has also sparked reactions. Some see this reliance as a reflection of economic inequality and a form of neocolonialism. Despite the documentary's recognition of the Sherpas' work, critics believe that Inoxtag's merit is overestimated.

Finally, viewers pointed out the commercial aspect of the project, with several product placements not indicated in the initial description of the video, which was seen as a contradiction with the message of disconnection advocated by the YouTuber.

Alice Leroy