Award-winning factual producer, Arrow Media, has been commissioned to produce a compelling two-hour special documentary, set to air on ITV1 and ITVX later in 2024. This powerful documentary commemorates the 20th anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean Boxing Day Tsunami. Charting the moment by moment eruption of one of the biggest disasters in natural history, this film also recounts the extraordinary stories of human determination against the odds. Fremantle is handling international distribution for the documentary.
Tsunami: The Wave That Shook The World tells the human story of how the catastrophic events unfolded during the morning of Boxing Day 2004. Powerful survivor stories are told through raw, personal testimony. A British holidaymaker remembers the desperate search for his brother in makeshift beachside morgues in Thailand; an Australian skipper describes his experience trying to control his boat off Phuket, with his three children on board, as it spins out of control on top of a gigantic tsunami wave; and a Sri Lankan woman recalls being trapped inside an overturned railway carriage - with her parents and younger sister - hit by a wave and submerged in water. Never-before-seen archive and reimagined visual effects show how twenty years on, trauma and resilience have defined a generation.
The documentary combines gripping storytelling with groundbreaking GFX technology to bring the events of December 26 2004 to life. GFX is used as a powerful visual tool to help tell each stage of the story.
Tom Brisley, CEO, Arrow Media, says: “Twenty years ago, the world witnessed an unimaginable tragedy. This film is our tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and a reminder of the power of nature.
“Arrow Media is committed to making inspiring stories for audiences worldwide and we were delighted that John Smithson, who originated the project whilst at Arrow, was able to come back as Executive Producer to deliver it. This film will give viewers a unique perspective of the terrible events of that day, told through the eyes of those who experienced it first-hand.”
John Smithson, Executive Producer, adds: “We made the creative decision to focus on just a handful of survivors and tell the story entirely in their own words. This gave us the screen time to become fully absorbed in their personal stories, as they experience the trauma and tragedy of the disaster, and desperate search for loved ones in the aftermath.”
Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual ITV, said: “Arrow Media has real provenance in telling the significant stories of our time through a unique and compelling human lens. This landmark documentary special conveys not only the power of a tragic event, but the strength of the human spirit.”
Tsunami: The Wave That Shook The World features firsthand accounts from survivors and rescuers, providing a personal and emotional narrative of the events that unfolded on that fateful day, showcasing some of the most profound human attributes – fear, despair, grief, courage, hope, and ultimately redemption.
Jens Richter, CEO, Commercial and International, Fremantle said, “The 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami is a poignant moment in history and on its 20th anniversary, this extraordinary documentary will not only pay tribute to the lives lost, but bring powerful survivor stories to life through its incredibly moving narrative. We are proud to be working with Arrow Media and ITV to be able to share this historical event with a global audience, featuring firsthand personal accounts from that fateful day.”
Contributors will share photographs, diary extracts and artefacts recovered from the Tsunami which have never been seen before. With some going back to the Tsunami location reuniting them with others whose lives powerfully intersected in 2004, but who have not seen each other for decades in powerful and emotional reunions.
Tsunami: The Wave That Shook The World is Directed by Ashley Gething and Executive Produced by John Smithson for Arrow Media, an Asacha Media Group company which was recently acquired by Fremantle, and by Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual at ITV. It is a co-production with ZDF (Germany) with pre-sales to C7 (Australia).