Great Movie!

[KarenM]

If you get the chance and are into mountaineering (even if you're not) go see the movie "Touching the Void". It is here through the Salt Lake Film Society so you'll probably have to look for it in one of the "art" theatres as opposed to the mainstream theatres. It's the true story of these two guys who did a first ascent of a mountain in Peru and their perilous experience... it is unbelievable! So so good.

[Dan_Harrison]

It won for Best Feature-length Release at the Banff Film Festival.
Winners list:
http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountaincultu ... awards.htm

You can see it, and other winners, in Ann Arbor March 28, and East Lansing March 29.

Here are the USA locations for the Banff Festival World Tour 2003-2004:
http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountaincultu ... tedstates/

Dan

[jon_cross]

we had an outdoor film showing last night with some riding videos and a preview of Banff. I hope we aren't racing when it comes down to NC, the preview vids we watched were amazing.

[jajones]

Touching the Void is playing at the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor next weekend, Karen. As a bonus, Sunday, Ang Dorjee Sherpa is speaking at the Michigan on his climbing adventures. I'm going to check both out. I heard an interview with Simon Yates a few weeks back and was mesmerized by the story.

[Golden Ghost]

Touching the Void is playing at the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor next weekend, Karen. As a bonus, Sunday, Ang Dorjee Sherpa is speaking at the Michigan on his climbing adventures. I'm going to check both out. I heard an interview with Simon Yates a few weeks back and was mesmerized by the story.

Are you sure it’s playing at the Michigan Theater next weekend? It’s not listed as showing there yet. I usually look it up on Yahoo for movies every week.

[MountainMike]

I actually saw this book at Barnes & Noble the other day and it looked really interesting. Does anyone know where to find this movie in MI?

[jajones]

Yes, Mar 5-11...

http://michtheater.org/film.html

If you get a chance, check out the Triplets of Belleville there this week as well. An animated fiction flick with the Tour de France as a theme. I just saw it was nominated for an Academy Award.

[Pokey]

As a bonus, Sunday, Ang Dorjee Sherpa is speaking at the Michigan on his climbing adventures.

Cool, I want to go. Anybody know what time?

[KarenM]

So... has anyone seen it yet? what d'ja think? What d'ja think??

[TwoTiredGal]

I read the book first and then saw the movie. Both are riveting. If I didn't know it was a true story I would say that it is totally unbelievable and that Hollywood thinks we're fools. But since it's real, they are that much more incredible. I haven't read Simon's book yet but that's next. Definitely see the movie and read the book. The movie follows the book well but there are things missing that I thought were interesting.

[Tenacious D]

I read the write-up about the making of the film & how they got real climbers to do the acting and the climbing. They went to real locations and actually climbed...not that stupid Sylvester Stallone Cliffhanger fake set stuff! They had the actual guys involved on set to help in the diriection - and I guess it brought back some very painful demons and memories. I mean...man, cutting the rope! That is the utmost in decisions! How do you live after something like that. I really want to see it!!!

[TwoTiredGal]

I read that they not only were at real climbing locations but were at THE locations where it all occurred. It was directed by a guy who generally does documentaries and that definitely comes through. It's almost like a docu-drama. Enough of each to keep the audience interested. I'm also glad it didn't turn into some Hollywood version of the truth! I guess that was where it was headed and it fell through so somehow the current director ended up getting involved. Thank goodness!! You definitely need to see it!!

[KarenM]

Im definately going to have to read the book.

It's my understanding that the climbing scenes were not filmed on the actual mountain but now I cant remember where they were filmed. That mountain still hasnt been climbed by anyone else.

And, I agree, the filming was so great! Not fake and hokey - the frostbite makeup was superb. Remember Vertical Limit? They didnt even wear hats at 20,000 feet and you couldnt see their breath! So fake.

Cutting the rope. Wow. I heard that he got a lot of grief from the climbing community for that but not from his partner. He totally understood why he did it and forgave him for it. Now if he could only forgive himself, ay? I dont think he had a choice. From what he could tell the guy was already dead, he got no response from him in hours and he began sliding into the abyss himself...wow. What a decision to make!

I'm glad you all liked it too! I had to leave the theatre and decompress for quite a while after it was over.

[Todd Scott]

It got two thumbs up from my girlfriend and I. We saw it at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak last Saturday.

[WishIcouldcatchmybreath]

I just got back from seeing this at the Michigan Theater in A2.....WOW! That is a great story! I can't understand why this movie hasn't gotten a wider release? Is it because you know at the beginning that the guy makes it out alive? Even though its not your typical Hollywood blockbuster, it seems to me that it has pretty good general appeal. Until this thread appeared here, I hadn't even heard of this movie (or the book). I think if word got out, this could be a popular movie.

It looks like tomorrow is the last showing at the Michigan Theater, but it's playing at least through Thursday in Royal Oak (the on-line schedule didn't go beyond then), if anyone still wants to see it.