Rent Chasing Ice (2012)

Chasing Ice review by Alyse Garner - Cinema Paradiso

For anyone still doubtful of the existence of global warming Chasing Ice is a terrifying and true story that follows documentary photographer James Balog as uses time-lapse photography to capture the vast melting of glaciers across the globe.

The film begins with a technical explanation of the camera’s used and the equipment needs to survive the harsh conditions of the Alaskan, Canadian and Alpine glaciers; 34 camera’s encased in waterproof and dustproof coverings placed in mountain ranges all over the world and left for years to document the gradual melting of the ice as the world warms up.

Where I had always associated time-lapse photography with beautiful images of flowers blooming and trees growing the sights in this documentary give me a much “colder” (excuse the pun) feeling in the pit of my stomach. Untarnished by any particular dialogue or story the film simply demonstrates the beautiful but terrifying changes in nature and provides an insight into the lives and morality of those on the front line of such incidents.

The film galvanises those already interested in conservation and environmentalism and is likely to inspire those with only a little experience of it, unfortunately however one can’t help but despair at the knowledge that the ones who should really be watching the piece are likely to never see this footage.

Balog walks that delicate line between artist and scientist, his photography not just a passion but environmentalism a driving personal force. Chasing Ice is one of those films that move you so deeply that it haunts you for a long time afterwards. Hard to watch, scary to comprehend with upsetting ramifications for future generations Chasing Ice is possibly the most disturbing movie I have seen in several years.