Touching the Void

Touching the Void   produced by Kevin Macdonald(2004) is the thrilling story of two young adventurers, Simon Yates and Joe Simpson as they climbed the previously unscaled 21,000ft Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. This ‘docudrama’ explores   the notions of the fragility of life and the challenge of danger and fate through a number of perspectives. The key viewpoints of Joe, Simon and Macdonald are offered chiefly through the exciting reconstruction of events played by actors juxtaposed with a series of studio interviews. Two key scenes which demonstrate these perspectives by utilising a range of film techniques are those where Simon cuts the rope and where Joe is stuck in the crevasse. The audience is positioned in a number of ways to empathise with, question and consider both the physical and inner battle that both men endure.
The challenge of the mountain and the fragility of life is demonstrated on Day 4 during the descent when Simon makes the heartbreaking , life and death decision to cut the rope connecting him to Joe. This action, seen as the ultimate mountain climbing taboo, for which Simon has attracted much subsequent criticism , is revealed through the dramatisation ( the Producer’s perspective) and the viewpoints of Joe and Simon in the studio. The tense re-enactment serves to draw the viewer in and to constantly re-evaluate their own opinion. The gravity of the situation and of Simon’s decision is presented to the responder by way of contrast, diegetic and non-diegetic sound as well as a range of camera shots and angles – all of which contribute to the perspectives offered. Simon’s studio mid close-up shot declaring, “I took the decision pretty quickly really”, is contrasted with several overhead shots of Joe’s face and hard hat shortly before the cutting occurs. The camera tracks the penknife as it moves down towards the rope. The diegetic mountain sounds of the high wind to show its strength and power and the non-diegetic intensifying music are mixed...