The closer you are to death, the more you realise you are alive.

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The documentary "Touching The Void" directed by Kevin MacDonald follows the story of Simon Yates and Joe Simpson - on their journey to climb Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. They reach the summit by the third day and their adventure soon turns south when they begin to climb down. The documentary follows a reenactment of their climb, alongside interviews with the two guys - Nicholas Aaron as Yates and Brendan Mackey as Simpson.

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The interviews with both Simpson and Yates were done separately - preserving the impression of them being alone after the events on the mountain, where they were separated and unsure of whether the other was still alive  - close ups are used to convey the emotion and trauma that they still feel.

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On their descent down the mountain, it soon became a human vs nature experience, with Simpson breaking his leg and Yates having to lower him down the mountain using rope. The documentary makes good use of music, film score being composed by Alex Heffes, the moment when Simpson breaks his legs, the music adds to the seriousness of the situation, complemented by his yelps of pain.

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The documentary manages to make the viewer emotionally invested in these men's journey, grateful that we ourselves didn't have to suffer this. MacDonald manages to show this event in a dramatic light whilst simultaneously telling the facts of the event without diminishing it. It is a good balance and the viewer can't help but see a deeper meaning in the facts of the event, "The closer you are to death, the more you realise you are alive."