Summit on the Summit

Summit on the Summit, also known as Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro, is an American documentary film directed by Michael Bonfiglio. The premiere screening was held on March 10, 2010, at Tribeca Grand Hotel in New York City. It later aired exclusively over MTV on March 14, 2010. The film features celebrities that climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise awareness about the water crisis. The cast includes Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Michael Bonfiglio, Isabel Lucas, Lupe Fiasco, and Jessica Biel. Through their efforts, every one dollar raised provides 100 liters of clean, safe drinking water for 50 days to those in need.
== Synopsis ==
Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro will take viewers to one of the highest altitudes on earth, Mount Kilimanjaro, to show fans a never-before-seen side of today's most influential artists and activists as they raise awareness of the global clean water crisis. Hosted by Justin Timberlake, Grammy-nominated musician, philanthropist and "actionist" Kenna leads a group of his friends including Jessica Biel, Emile Hirsch, Lupe Fiasco, Santigold, Isabel Lucas, Elizabeth Gore, Alexandra Cousteau, Kick Kennedy and others as they push their minds and bodies to the limit to raise awareness of this critical, global issue. The documentary follows the participants as they battle a plethora of physical and natural elements and cope with deteriorating weather conditions and increased altitude causing headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
== Background ==
In April 2009, it was announced by outlets the project. The idea was conceptualized by Kenna, whose father almost died from waterborne diseases. He wanted to help spread awareness of unclean water, and gathered fellow artists to scale Mount Kilimanjaro, which at the time reported him, Fiasco, and Justin Timberlake to participate.Michaels, Sean (April 15, 2009). "Justin Timberlake and Lupe Fiasco to Climb Kilimanjaro". The Guardian.
Fiasco shared to MTV News during his journey in January 2010, "We're at 16,000 feet, which is higher than any point in [the 'lower 48' United States]. It's extremely stressful, but the rewards are extremely rewarding and the achievements we've been having are small ones, but they've really unified us as a group." With the travelers divided into two groups, Fiasco's group was called the 'Dos Locos,' teamed up with Hirsch, Biel, and United Nations activist Elizabeth Gore.Kaufman, Gil (January 11, 2010). "Lupe Fiasco, Santigold Check in as 'Summit On The Summit' Team Nears Kilimanjaro's Peak". MTV News.
== Video ==
== Lupe and Simon's Dialogue on Water ==
Simon	Hey man, so, we're currently at 16,000 feet, 5 days-in on our Kilimanjaro climb. It's been tough for sure, but for a critically important cause, clean water. Can you talk about why you’re taking time from your busy schedule to do this?
Lupe 	I’m always drawn to important causes that positively affect the world. It's just something that I can’t resist. It's my human nature to be a humanitarian.
Simon	Is that part of your up bringing? How did a Chicago boy get caught up in these global issues?
Lupe 	My father and mother always made sure we (my family) was always in tune with what was going on around the world, beyond our environment. Whether it be through access to a collection of National Geographic Magazines or a steady diet of foreign culture via the martial arts or music, we've always had this awareness of the world around us and what was happening there.
Simon	Before the climb, we went to a school where most of the children were suffering from waterborne illness, how has that experience shaped the way you think about this issue?
Lupe 	It solidified the necessity of access to clean water. The visit put a face on the crisis, which is something that is hard to forget.
Simon	Speaking to the educators and other influencers on this climb, what have you learned so far?
Lupe 	The deeper struggles of actually enacting policy surrounding issues of crisis. Whether it be mobilization of mass support from among the public, to effectively implementing programs on the ground in the areas most in need. It has a "Pandora's Box" feel about it.
Simon	How has this experience changed the way that you view water, poverty and other causes and how you can address them?
Lupe 	Less of a "change" that has taken place, but more of a reaffirming and deeper education of the specifics that surround these issues, from a governmental level to personal level and every arena in between. This gives me more effective ammunition and more accurate weapon to fight with.
Simon	You're a hip hop star, what do you think is the role of musicians and celebrities in making a difference?
Lupe 	Simply to bring the eyes and ears of our fan bases to the issues in a way that our fans appreciate and feel motivated to act on their own behalf.
Simon	If you could ask your fans to do one thing to solve the water challenge, what would it be?
Lupe 	I hope that they inform themselves and others so that they are able to create effective solutions to the problem. And if the most effective and doable solution for them is to donate money then so be it, through informing themselves and others, they may find other ways to get involved. They can write a letter to their senator or to President Obama. They can rally their friends. They can save water in their own home. What matters is that they act.
Simon	Cool man. Dinner time.
Lupe 	Yup. Final push to the summit. Let's do it."Summit on the Summit (@sotsk)". Tumblr. January 12, 2010. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010.
== References ==
Category:Films