Chasing Ice
Chasing Ice

Chasing Ice

2012
Movie
74 min
English

When National Geographic photographer James Balog asked, “How can one take a picture of climate change?” his attention was immediately drawn to ice. Soon he was asked to do a cover story on glaciers that became the most popular and well-read piece in the magazine during the last five years. But for Balog, that story marked the beginning of a much larger and longer-term project that would reach epic proportions.

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IMDb7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Metacritic71/100
Google Users91%
Director: Jeff OrlowskiGenres: Documentary, Nature

Plot Summary

Chasing Ice is a documentary that follows environmental photographer James Balog's ambitious mission to capture irrefutable evidence of the Earth's changing climate. Over three years, Balog deploys a groundbreaking, time-lapse photographic technique in the Arctic, documenting the dramatic melting of glaciers. The film highlights the extreme challenges he faces in remote and harsh environments, juxtaposing the beauty of nature with the stark reality of its degradation.

Critical Reception

Chasing Ice was widely acclaimed by critics for its stunning visuals, urgent message, and Balog's compelling personal journey. Reviewers praised its effectiveness in conveying the tangible impacts of climate change through powerful, time-lapsed imagery, making a complex scientific issue accessible and emotionally resonant for audiences. The film is considered a significant contribution to climate change awareness and advocacy.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually stunning and emotionally impactful, presenting undeniable proof of climate change.
  • James Balog's dedication and the film's innovative approach make climate change feel immediate and personal.
  • A powerful and essential documentary that effectively communicates the urgency of global warming.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praised "Chasing Ice" for its stunning cinematography and the vital importance of its message regarding climate change. Many highlighted James Balog's incredible dedication and the effectiveness of the time-lapse photography in demonstrating glacial melt. The film is frequently described as eye-opening, urgent, and highly recommended.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012 and received nominations for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography and Directing at the Cinema Eye Honors Awards.

Fun Fact

During the filming, James Balog and his team experienced extreme conditions, including surviving a near-fatal encounter with a polar bear and enduring blizzards that forced them to bury their equipment to protect it from the elements.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
talisencrw

talisencrw

I first saw this at my city's International Film Festival, then later thankfully I was able to watch it with my son, who was 9 at the time, when at a friend's place for one of the big 3 holidays, it was on Netflix. Brilliantly conceived and...