Antarctica: A Year on Ice (2013)

A visually stunning chronicle of what it is like to live in Antarctica for a full year, including winters isolated from the rest of the world, and enduring months of darkness in the coldest place on Earth.

Director:

Anthony Powell

Writer:

Simon Price (story editor)

Stars:

Anthony Powell, Genevieve Bachman, William Brotman

17 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Genevieve Bachman	...	Herself
William Brotman	...	Himself
Michael Christiansen	...	Himself
Tom Hamann	...	Himself
George Lampman	...	Himself
Peter Lund	...	Himself
Keri Nelson	...	Herself
Casey O'Brien	...	Himself
Anthony Powell	...	Himself
Christine Powell	...	Herself
David Prutsman	...	Himself
Josh Swanson	...	Himself
Andrew Velman	...	Himself

Storyline

This feature-length film reveals what it is like to live and work at the bottom of the planet, in Antarctica, for a full year. The story is not from the point of view of scientists, but of the people who spend the most time there; the everyday workers who keep the stations running in the harshest place on the planet. Filmed over 15 years by Frozen Planet photographer Anthony Powell, the film features a unique insiders point of view, with unparalleled access, and never before seen stunning footage of the deep Antarctic winters.

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Plot Keywords:

antarctica | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Adventure | Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild thematic elements and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Blog Official Facebook

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 November 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Antarktika: Ein Jahr im Eis

Filming Locations:

Antarctica

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$32,238, 30 November 2014

Gross USA:

$288,757

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$288,757

Company Credits

Production Co:

Antzworks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Car batteries were often used to keep cameras running in temperatures as low as -60c / -75f ambient.

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Quotes

Keri Nelson: I was actually on my knees, and I was crying. That's how beautiful it was to me.

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Connections

Follows Frozen Planet (2011)

User Reviews

Visually Stunning, An Impressive Experience

There are several films that take place in Antarctica; however only a couple have focused on what it is like to actually live there. Like in Werner Herzog's documentary 'Encounters at the End of the World', the audience is introduced to several members of the support staff at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. However in Antarctica: A Year on Ice, we're not just seeing a snippet of time in their lives on a given day. We're seeing how they progress through an entire year – how they are affected by the 24 hours of summer sunlight, the unending darkness of a harsh winter, and the isolation. All of this is presented in the context of Nature, her ebbs and flows, power and beauty.

Over the years Anthony Powell has perfected his ability to capture and condense images of Nature in a manner that allows the audience to appreciate her creations in a timely manner. Nature is just as much of a character in the film as the others; although one could argue a more visually stunning one. Where else in the world can you see auroras dancing over a backdrop of the Milky Way, a storm so powerful that you can barely close the door, or get the real poop on penguins?

By the end of the film, Anthony Powell has led the audience through a year in Antarctica as experienced by the people who have been there and done that. It's much more than just a glimpse. It describes both an environment and a culture that very few are lucky enough and fortunate enough to experience first hand.