Blind Man Walking might well be the most inspirational story of the year. At the age of 22, Mark Pollock, a handsome young athlete premiere and academic, suddenly lost his sight. He was plunged into darkness and depression but rebuilt his life over the next ten years. On the tenth anniversary of his sight-loss he takes on the toughest challenge of his life in attempting to become the first blind man to race to the South Pole. This documentary by Ross Whitaker (Saviours, Bye Bye Now) follows Mark for the anniversary year of losing his sight, throughout his training and his attempt to get to the South Pole. What unfolds is a highly personal, often emotional and ultimately uplifting story told against the epic backdrop of the Antarctic.

Notes by Sunniva O’Flynn