PARIS — In a daring display of ambition and perseverance, 22-year-old French YouTuber Ines Benazzouz, known to his fans as Inoxtag, has not only scaled the heights of Mount Everest but has also taken the internet by storm with the release of his documentary “Kaizen.”
The film, which chronicles his year-long journey from a gaming chair to the world’s highest peak, has captivated millions, both on the big screen and online. Released this weekend, “Kaizen” quickly shattered box office records for special cinema events in France, selling an impressive 300,000 tickets over the weekend.
On YouTube, where Inoxtag boasts more than eight million subscribers, the documentary was viewed over 11 million times in the first 24 hours alone, marking it as one of the platform’s most successful launches in France.
A New Kind of Hero’s Journey
Inoxtag, who first gained fame through his high-energy gaming videos, decided to turn his passion for virtual adventures into reality by attempting one of the world’s most daunting physical challenges: climbing Mount Everest.
Known for his relentless enthusiasm and audacious “challenge” videos, the YouTuber trained for an entire year, under the guidance of renowned mountaineer Mathis Dumas, to prepare for the ultimate test of endurance and willpower.
“I’ve always liked to have adventures — when I was younger, they were on video games,” Inoxtag told AFP in an interview ahead of the film’s release. “After years of obsessing over ‘Minecraft’ and ‘Fortnite,’ I realized I wanted those experiences to be real. So I set myself a crazy goal, to climb Everest.”
But this was no ordinary attempt at scaling Everest. Inoxtag, a digital native and a symbol of his generation, documented every aspect of his grueling preparation, mental struggles, and eventual triumph, offering fans a raw, unfiltered look at what it takes to ascend the world’s tallest mountain.
The film “Kaizen” — a title inspired by the Japanese concept of continuous improvement — showcases not just the physical toll of the expedition, but the emotional journey behind it.
A Blockbuster Success
For his loyal followers, Inoxtag’s climb was more than just a feat of physical strength — it was an inspirational tale of perseverance. Queues wrapped around the block at preview screenings in Paris, with fans eager to witness their idol’s incredible transformation from a video game enthusiast to a real-world adventurer.
The hype surrounding the film’s premiere was palpable, and the results were immediate: Inoxtag’s management announced on Monday that “Kaizen” had smashed box office records for a special cinema event, an unprecedented achievement for a YouTuber-led project.
The online reception was just as explosive. Within hours of its release on YouTube, “Kaizen” had amassed millions of views, with fans flooding the comments section with praise for Inoxtag’s bravery and dedication. “This is one of the biggest launches in the history of YouTube in France,” a spokesperson for Inoxtag’s team told AFP, underscoring the immense cultural impact the young star has had on his audience.
From Virtual Adventures to Real-World Challenges
Inoxtag’s rise to fame began in his teenage years, when he started posting video game footage online. His hyperactive, humorous style and fearless approach to challenges quickly earned him a devoted following. But despite his roots in the gaming world, Inoxtag has never shied away from pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an online content creator.
His YouTube channel is filled with ambitious projects, from attempting daring stunts to embarking on unusual challenges like “30 seconds to save a life” or “Five days to walk across Corsica.”
His latest and most audacious project, climbing Mount Everest, marked a turning point for Inoxtag as he sought to prove that the limits of his imagination were matched by his physical determination.
While “Kaizen” delivers plenty of the high-stakes moments and personal drama that viewers expect from modern documentaries, it also tackles serious issues such as over-tourism on Everest and the environmental consequences of these expeditions.
Inoxtag has long professed a concern for environmental issues, and his documentary highlights the importance of respecting the natural world, even in the face of personal ambition.
Fan Frenzy and Critical Debate
The reception from Inoxtag’s fans has been overwhelmingly positive. In Paris, young viewers, many of whom grew up watching Inoxtag play video games, celebrated the film as an inspirational story.
Outside the cinema, 19-year-old student Lucie Bonin defended the YouTuber against any potential criticism: “I know there are plenty of people who climb the mountain and don’t film themselves. But it’s wild that a YouTuber is entertaining us like this, just by setting himself such crazy goals.”
However, not all critics have embraced the film with equal enthusiasm. Some French media outlets have questioned the ethical dimensions of the documentary. Liberation criticized the film for its lack of focus on the Sherpas, the Nepalese guides who play an indispensable role in helping climbers navigate Everest.
While some Sherpas eventually joined Inoxtag on stage during the Paris premiere, their limited role in the documentary has sparked a broader conversation about the representation of local workers in these high-profile expeditions.
Veteran mountaineer and photographer Pascal Tournaire, speaking to L’Equipe, took an even harsher view of the project, dismissing it as “egotistical” and arguing that Inoxtag had not achieved any remarkable feat. “Many people climb Everest every year,” Tournaire said, implying that the documentary was more a celebration of the YouTuber’s fame than his mountaineering prowess.
Still, Inoxtag’s supporters, including Mathis Dumas, argue that the young star’s passion for the mountain is genuine. Dumas, who trained Inoxtag for the climb, told local media that the YouTuber had shown a “real love” for the mountain and that his journey was a testament to his willingness to embrace new challenges.
Inspiration from Japan and Beyond
Inoxtag’s decision to tackle Everest was partly inspired by the 2017 French comedy film “The Climb,” a story about a young man from Paris who decides to scale the mountain to impress a girl. But Inoxtag’s aspirations reach far beyond romantic gestures.
His quest for self-improvement, reflected in the film’s title “Kaizen,” comes from a deeply personal place. One of his greatest influences, he revealed, is the legendary Japanese manga creator Eiichiro Oda, the mastermind behind “One Piece,” the best-selling manga series in history.
“Oda taught me that dreams can come true,” Inoxtag said in an interview, adding that if Oda ever saw his documentary, he would want to thank him for showing him that anything is possible. In many ways, Inoxtag’s ascent of Everest is as much about fulfilling a lifelong dream as it is about testing the limits of his physical endurance.
The Journey, Not Just the Summit
The buildup to Inoxtag’s ascent was marked by tension and speculation. In April, the YouTuber bid farewell to his fans with a dramatic promise: he would stay off all social media until the climb was complete.
His absence fueled widespread curiosity and excitement, with fans eagerly awaiting news of whether he would reach the summit.
Inoxtag ultimately succeeded in his climb, standing atop the world’s highest peak. But, as he explained to AFP, the journey itself was the real achievement.
“I don’t want everyone to focus too much on whether I succeeded or failed,” he said. “I want people to see a little bit of the journey I made to get there.”
As “Kaizen” continues to break records and spark conversations, one thing is certain: Inoxtag’s journey from video games to the top of Mount Everest has captivated a generation. His story is one of personal growth, perseverance, and the belief that with enough passion and determination, even the wildest dreams can come true.
