Touching The Void (UK, director Kevin Macdonald): Based on the book of the same name by mountaineer Joe Simpson, the film both recounts and recreates the harrowing true story of Simpson and climbing partner Simon Yates’ 1985 ascent of the sheer face of an Andean mountain. During the descent, Simpson falls and badly shatters his leg. After attempting to lower his friend to safety and losing him over an ice cliff, Yates makes the controversial decision to cut the rope that binds them together, letting Simpson fall more than 100 feet into a crevasse.
Amazingly, both men survive. And even more amazingly, Simpson staunchly defends his friend’s action upon their return home. Told in a docudrama style, the film captures both the majesty and terror of the mountains along with the real emotional and physical experiences of the climbers themselves. Utterly unique and deserves to gain a huge audience.
Joe Simpson continues to climb today, and received a standing ovation after the screening.
(10/10)
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