Driving Emotions in Documentary. TT3D, more than just a Motorbike Film.

The annual Tourist Trophy race which takes place on the picturesque Isle of Man provides the backdrop for the recent documentary film by Richard de Aragues, TT3D: Closer to the Edge. With superbikes hauling 1000cc engines and reaching speeds of over 170mph, you are undoubtedly in for a adrenaline-pumped and hair-raising experience. Focusing on the lives of the most skilled and seasoned racers in the world, the film is a tragic but inspiring story of break-neck speeds, spectacular crashes and what it means to be alive. And it's all shot in breathtaking 3D.

The account of the infamous 2010 race week revolves around the charismatic, rugged-sideburns Guy Martin, the racer which 'every man and his dog wants to win'. Martin is a likeable rogue, lorry mechanic by trade and superbike racer by obsession; the perfect character for the film. TT3D does an excellent job of evoking the sense of passion felt by these people who go to extreme lengths to follow their love of racing, even if it means paying the ultimate price. With emotional accounts from families, friends and other racers who have experienced the loss of someone, TT3D isn't just a high-octane film for petrol-heads. At its heart, it deals with a story of human emotion, something anyone can relate to.

Aragues uses the documentary medium expertly to portray this powerful and poignant tale. The coverage of the race switches between intense close-up shots of racers and stunning arial shots to display the fine line between the beauty and the perilous nature of racing. The race scenes are cleverly intertwined with anecdotal narratives which give the film a compelling and heartwarming edge. TT3D can seem a little slow at times, but this is only because the there is such a substantial contrast between the fast-paced brutality of the races and more protracted background stories. Ultimately though, it is the emotive factor that drives this film onwards not, ironically, the actual driving itself.

An uplifting film, the story ofCloser to the Edge can relate itself to anyone's personal journey. It follows the lives of people who watch their friends lose their lives to the notorious race, only to continue competing the very next day. It is a captivating insight into one of the most dangerous sports in the world and into the lives of the dedicated, impassioned racers.