Filmmaker Statement

We made 'Ascend' to celebrate the extraordinary courage of ordinary women, the unifying power of shared passions, and the enduring spirit of a nation too often viewed through the lens of conflict. Making this film was a process of both learning and unlearning for us. We'd never been to Afghanistan or spent time within the Afghan community, so we were unsure of who we were going to meet from day one. Who we found in Yosemite were brave, poetic, open, joyful, artistic young women who had just walked through a gut-wrenching chapter in their lives. We wanted this film to provide a platform for these remarkable young women to share their stories, to voice their experiences, struggles, and triumphs. Above all, this film is a tribute to these women's strength, a celebration of the global climbing community, and an invitation to reshape our understanding of Afghanistan, not just as a war-torn nation, but as a place of hope, resilience, and extraordinary human spirit.