Darlow Smithson Receives New C4 Commission

LONDON, March 20: Darlow
Smithson Productions has been commissioned by Channel 4 in the U.K. to produce The
Beckoning Silence, a 90-minute
drama-documentary special based on mountain climber Joe Simpson’s best-selling
book of the same name.

The Beckoning Silence is due for delivery this August. Filmed in HD, it
will be produced and directed by Louise Osmond, award-winning director of
Darlow Smithson’s latest theatrical documentary, Deep Water.

The film, a follow-up to
Darlow Smithson’s BAFTA-award-winning Touching the Void, follows Simpson’s journey to the treacherous
North face of the Eiger; the notorious mountain that has killed more than 60
climbers and has fascinated him since he was a boy. There he confronts the
growing doubts and fears he has as a climber reaching the end of his career and
in the process, unravels a tragedy that unfolded on the mountain in the
1930s—one that has eerie parallels with his own horrific accident in the
Peruvian Andes. Filming on the North face of the Eiger will begin later this
month. Distribution will he handled by Channel 4 International.

John Smithson, the chief
creative director of Darlow Smithson Productions, noted: “Joe Simpson is an
extraordinary man who has experienced unimaginable challenges, achievements and
tragedy. Touching The Void,
will inevitably be a tough act to follow, but we are delighted to continue to
work with Joe who is a fantastic storyteller and brings to life the remarkable
stories he experiences. As always, our ambition with The Beckoning Silence is to produce a visually stunning, emotive and
inspiring documentary.”