Dawson City: Frozen Time

"Dawson City: Frozen Time" is a mesmerising 2016 documentary directed by Bill Morrison. The film gravitates towards cinematic archaeology, casting a maze of riveting stories embedded within found film footage. The film showcases the narrative of 500 films dating from 1910s to 1920s, which were lost for over 50 years until they were discovered buried in a sub-Arctic swimming pool deep in the Yukon Territory. The origins of this cinematic treasure and how it reached its obscure resting place form the crux of this fascinating documentary. The preservation efforts are an ode to cinematic history and its undeniable knack for storytelling.

The film introduces us to Dawson City, a gold rush town at the close of the 19th century, now surrendered to history. Dawson City, located at the confluence of the Klondike and Yukon rivers, was the terminus for film distribution companies at that time. After making their rounds in the more prolonged theatre circuits, the films were dispatched to Dawson City. In this site of industrial optimism and economic prosperity, films were mainly employed as sources of entertainment for hard-working miners.

"Dawson City: Frozen Time" unfurls the journey of these films, featuring an ensemble of personalities that brim with life despite their now ghost-like existence on celluloid. The mastermind behind it all, Michael Gates, a local historian, lends his commentary throughout the film, offering enriching context to frame the story. Gates, along with Kathy Jones-Gates, the librarian and museum manager, underscores the importance of archival diligence and the salvage of these films. Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle, a silent film star and director whose work forms part of the unearthed movies, comes out as a fascinating character with an intriguing life story that further enriches the film’s narrative.

In addition to the compelling narrative, the film cinematography is breath-taking. Morrison's perceptive use of the silent movies — their imagery symbiotically fusing with Alex Somers' haunting score — perpetuates a wide range of emotions; from unchecked exhilaration, nostalgia at the depiction of a bygone era and sorrow for the degradation and loss of the silver nitrate films themselves. The flickers, the blotches, and the peeling emulsion of these films add a distinct character, enchanting the audience, even as they bear testimony to the inherent transience of this medium.

What "Dawson City: Frozen Time" achieves as a documentary is resuscitation of an entire chapter of history, both of cinema and of the Gold Rush-era Dawson City. It encapsulates an ambient tale of fortunes, ruin, revival, and discovery. Morrison leads viewers down a path of exploration that navigates the century-old remnants of the Dawson City, making them witness an uncanny, inimitable portrayal of a forgotten era. It is equal parts a historical document and a photo album, each frame drawing the viewer into the existence of the people, their hopes, fears, dreams and realities. Simultaneously, it acts as a cautionary tale for the fragility of film as a medium, highlighting the vital importance of preservation for future generations.

"Dawson City: Frozen Time" not only celebrates forgotten films and artists but also presents a compelling history of cinema - its evolution, decay, and resurgence. Morrison’s innovative storytelling technique integrates pieces of discovered films, photographs, interviews, and well-researched narrative, meshing historical fact with visual poetry.

The film does not rely on conventional talking-head interviews or narration. Instead, it unfolds with layers of vignettes stacked in archaeologist-like fashion, exposed prick by prick, one silent film frame at a time presenting a compelling narrative. The result is a unique pastiche of tragedy and redemption, interspersed with moments of pure cinematic magic.

In essence, “Dawson City: Frozen Time” is a unique cinematic experience, blurring boundaries between documentary and experimental film, preserving an invaluable cultural heritage in the process. This is not just a film about the past; it's a poignant dialogue with time itself, amplifying themes of ephemerality, memory, loss, and resurrection. It renders a surreal experience that is deeply mesmerising, reinforcing the magical power of film to document, preserve, and bring history alive. It's a piece of cultural archaeology that reshapes our understanding of film history, offering endless fascination for film enthusiasts, historians and anyone curious about the dynamic interplay of time and memory.