The Last Ice

The Last Ice is a poignant and thought-provoking documentary film released in 2020 that is directed by Scott Ressler and produced by National Geographic. Hugely relevant in today's climate-sensitive era, this film takes a deep dive into the current environmental and socio-cultural concerns in the Arctic, a region grappling with the impending doom of climate change. The film sheds light on the life-altering changes in the natural habitats of the indigenous Inuit communities, who, unlike many others in the world, are encountering climate change in the most immediate and intimate way possible. Ressler captures the Inuit perspective capturing firsthand how a changing climate impacts their lifestyles, traditions, and survival.

The Last Ice transports viewers into the breathtaking yet vanishing polar landscapes, unveiling the stunning yet fragile beauty of the Arctic. This contrast of calm beauty and looming danger shapes the film's mood, notably employing a slower pace to let viewers fully absorb the harsh reality of the situation. The cinematography captures this profound theme, offering an immersive visual experience in addition to being a powerful tool for spreading awareness.

The narrative of The Last Ice is centered around the Inuit populations of Canada and Greenland, who have lived harmoniously for thousands of years with the ice and wildlife in the Arctic. The film precisely crafts the story of how the indigenous communities, who are so deeply rooted in these lands and their traditions, are being pushed to the brink due to the melting ice caps and changing weather patterns. The melting ice is not only a significant threat from an environmental perspective but also a colossal danger for these cultures that rely heavily on the ice for their transportation, hunting, and fundamentally as part of their identity. The disappearance of the ice signifies a loss of history, lifestyle and an unwelcomed transformation thrust upon them.

The Last Ice further delves into the complexity of the situation by exploring the political and economic implications of the vanishing Arctic ice. As the ice melts due to global warming, new shipping routes open up, and previously unreachable oil and mining reserves become accessible. This ironically makes the Arctic region an area of increased geopolitical contention and commercial interest. The irony of exploiting what is fundamentally a disaster makes this documentary an eye-opener about the short-term interests that often blind us to long-term environmental consequences.

A unique strength of The Last Ice lies in its genuine, factual, and accessible storytelling, which underscores reality without exaggeration, but still presents the magnitude and urgency of the issue at hand. The film invites the viewer to see the world from the Inuit community's viewpoint, gently reminding us of the harsh existential questions they are grappling with due to circumstances beyond their control.

The film also serves as a poignant reminder that the concept of climate change is not a distant theoretical problem. Instead, it showcases that it is an immediate crisis with real-life implications for many communities across the globe. However, amidst the somber themes and realities, the film also demonstrates the resilience and resistance of these communities. They are not painted as mere victims but as communities that are adapting and fighting to safeguard their lands, traditions, and identity.

The Last Ice is a narrative of climate change like no other. It does not just present facts and figures, rather it humanizes climate change, bringing to light the changes unfolding across the Arctic through the eyes of the people who call it home. The revealing depiction of their story serves as a clarion call for robust climate action, thus making The Last Ice an essential addition to environmental cinema, and an absolute must-watch for anyone on this shared planet.