Climbing Everest? This is the umpteenth crazy project for the videographer with 8 million subscribers who became known on YouTube thanks to the video game Fortnite. Inoxtag made a documentary to narrate his bet to prepare for and climb the highest peak in the world in one year. His journey was screened in cinemas on Friday, September 13, filling movie theaters from Sablé-sur-Sarthe (Sarthe) to Les Sables-d’Olonne (Vendée), passing through many other cities in France. The young man published it, Saturday, September 14 early in the afternoon, for free on YouTube.
1. Who is Inoxtag?
He is a “YouTuber”. Inès Benazzouz, his real name, has made a name for himself on the video platform since 2015, notably by broadcasting recordings of his games of the popular video game Fortnite. He is one of the ten most followed French content creators on the platform with 8.1 million subscribers on his channel, as well as 2.5 million on his “secondary” channel, where he broadcasts other types of content.
His character on Youtube has created a very strong community where his friendly character, his positive speech and his good humor are very popular. He joins forces with other youtubers specialized in gaming to broadcast videos together. With the success of esteem and strong income related to it, Inoxtag tries his hand at other areas, such as music, especially the clip Darling DarlingHe has also been the subject of controversy, particularly because of comments deemed sexist during Zevent 2021, an event followed online by more than 450,000 spectators, or when he does not clearly display videos sponsored by the National Interprofessional Center for the Dairy Economy (CNIEL).
2. What is the subject of the Kaizen documentary?
At just 21 years old, Inoxtag has set himself a huge challenge: to surpass himself and climb Everest, the highest mountain in the world at 8,800 meters above sea level, in the Himalayan range. A challenge for this YouTuber who is not an athlete. “For a year, you will follow me in this documentary to discover all my life changes in order to achieve this dream”it is written in the presentation. To succeed in its bet, Inoxtag was accompanied by the photographer and high mountain guide Mathis Dumas.
The 2 hour 26 minute film follows him with images taken in his daily life or with drones. All with a proximity, usual in the “vlogs” on Youtube, these videos where we film ourselves visiting a place or to tell an event of our life, but enhanced by epic music worthy of the great Hollywood films and grandiose images.
3. Why is it already a phenomenon?
The YouTuber knew how to create an event around the film. In particular, he stopped communicating on all his social networks since April 4, a few days before his departure. He also managed not to let any image of his adventure filter through before the first broadcast, arousing immense anticipation from his fans.
Inoxtag’s Mount Everest expedition was broadcast on Friday, September 13 at the Grand Rex and in nearly 500 movie theaters. Some 200,000 spectators had taken their seats by September 10. An unusual influx that caused disruptions on sales sites, reported the YouTuber Inoxtag. Also proof of the ever-renewed desire of YouTubers’ followers and other influencers to get together to experience a unifying event.
Another element that shows Inoxtag’s influence, the broadcast at the Grand Rex attracted personalities from the world of YouTube and sport. Several Olympic medalists were present, like swimmers Léon Marchand and Florent Manaudou, and table tennis players Alexis and Félix Lebrun.
4. Why is there controversy over climbing Everest?
Many mountaineering experts have been questioned by the media about the fact that YouTuber Inoxtag was taking on the challenge of reaching the top of Everest. Some have criticized the “Commodification of Everest” where many wealthy Westerners have already tried their luck, leaving a lot of rubbish along the way. Inoxtag’s film also shows the damage caused by overtourism, pollution and the risks of very high mountains.
Since the 1990s, the Nepalese authorities have liberalized permits to access the roof of the world in order to develop tourism. In 2024, 479 permits were granted. A record. Which means that more than 900 climbers in total, with guides, have tried to reach the roof of the world.
But not all mountaineering circles are opposed to this project, seeing it as a great way to promote this sport.
Moved to tears and surrounded by his team and the Sherpas, Inoxtag told his fans gathered at the Grand Rex: “We don’t care about the end result. What we need is to go on an adventure, it’s all the moments I’ve lived.” Adventure can also be just around the corner.
