The 22nd Zurich Film Festival commenced this week with the presentation of a Golden Eye Award to Tom Hiddleston, honoring his career spanning roles in major franchises and acclaimed independent films. The festival’s opening event featured the European premiere of Tenzing, an Apple-produced drama centered on the historic 1953 Mount Everest expedition.
The film chronicles the climb that made Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary the first individuals to reach Everest’s summit. Hiddleston plays Hillary, while the ensemble cast includes Genden Phuntsok as Norgay, Willem Dafoe as expedition leader Colonel John Hunt, Thinley Lhamo as Norgay’s wife Dawa, and Caitríona Balfe as expedition secretary Jill Henderson. Director-writer Jennifer Peedom attended the screening alongside Hiddleston and Dafoe.
During remarks at the festival, Hiddleston discussed his experiences working within large-scale film productions, particularly his role as Loki in Marvel Cinematic Universe projects. He noted the collaborative relationships formed early in his involvement with the franchise, describing his work on 2011’s Thor as a formative experience marked by access to substantial resources and accomplished creative teams. Regarding the forthcoming Avengers: Doomsday, Hiddleston offered minimal commentary beyond acknowledging its development.
On Tenzing, Hiddleston explained that the project’s appeal lay in its reframing of the expedition narrative to center Norgay’s perspective. He highlighted the film’s emphasis on spiritual reverence toward the mountain rather than depicting the climb as an act of conquest. The festival runs through early October and will also present awards to actors John Turturro and Julianne Moore. Director Cary Joji Fukunaga will lead the feature competition jury.
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