The first moments of Kushner and Smith’s Beneath the Polar Sun introduce us to the stunning vistas of Umingmak Nuna [Ellesmere Island] in Nunavut, where a group of five people will land about 500 miles away from the north pole, where the thickest and oldest parts of sea ice reside. We’ll follow their journey, with the number of days appearing regularly to denote the passage of time. Our main guide and the film’s co-director, Steve (Stephen Smith), has led many an expedition in the north for almost four decades, and this trip is to survey changes in the ice and how they’re impacting the waters and land further south.
During the first days of their journey, spirits are relatively light. Steve schools the team on the best practices of what to do should they encounter a bear, outlining different scenarios. His wife and the film’s co-director Diana Kushner persistently asks variations of “What if that doesn’t work?” and finally, “What if one of us is eaten by a bear?” “I would not feel good about that!” he replied, chuckling. Also appearing are beautiful shots of local flora and fauna, including tiny purple flowers, bright red plants growing along the ground, ruddy turnstone shorebirds, and even—unexpectedly—narwhals.
The viewer is briefed on the crew’s objective right from the jump. Various members explain why the color of sea ice is important as it pertains to the ocean and, on a larger scale, the world. If it’s white, it’s reflecting the sun’s rays, while if the ice is sparse, it’s the dark blue water that’s absorbing the rays which in turn make it warmer, causing ice to break apart and melt more easily. A helpful animation of this process, as well as a comparison of the land during one of Steve’s prior trips with this current one, visualizes the concepts and makes it clear that much has changed over the years, and where the ice was simpler to cross before, it’s quite a different story today.
The team sets off from where the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition began in 1881, where twenty-five men were sent to survey the area to plot blank areas for mapping, and only seven came back three years later. It is Steve’s intention to travel with his companions along the same route they took. This portion is a good history lesson for those interested, and the photographs alongside the dialog give one the feeling of being at a museum and listening along with headphones.
By day 14, things take a turn when it becomes obvious that the crew is traveling nowhere fast, and they shift their focus from observing the ice to evacuating it safely. A four-day wind storm, blocked paths, and a glacial (pun intended) pace of mostly dragging their kayaks behind them, has slowed their daily progress considerably. Their alternate path is shown in shots of ice chunks rapidly flowing down the Nares Strait, and you shudder to imagine what that would do to a kayak.
In spite of their trials, the crew continues to take opportunities to educate the viewer, and we learn the definition of terms for different conditions of ice, including slabs and brash and rubble. But by day 33, the situation has turned almost desperate. Food supplies—and tempers—are understandably running short, as they wait for ideal weather conditions so they can leave. As a viewer you become invested in their safety, and cheer for them when the plane finally emerges from the fog to touch down. A shot of a grazing lone muskox that fades to black concludes the story.
This film and its narrators are practical and matter-of-fact, and don’t try to scare you in the style of other climate documentaries. They simply educate the viewer, using metaphors easy to understand on every knowledge level that illustrate how things are and what will happen without going into too many overwhelming or complex details. It was also interesting to watch and beautifully shot. Would recommend. 4.5 stars.
Which library audiences would benefit from screening Beneath the Polar Sun?
It’s hard to name a group of people for which this film is not in their interest to see, because it applies to everyone. Library programming could show this film to all age groups, or make it part of their permanent DVD collection, while school librarians could make this educational film available for teachers in environmental science classes as its academic and teaching value is substantial.
Why should public and academic libraries add Beneath the Polar Sun to their collections?
This documentary offers both a breathtaking visual record of the Arctic and an accessible entry point into climate science. Rather than focusing on doomsday scenarios, it shows viewers how ice loss directly affects the planet through clear metaphors and on-the-ground observation. Public libraries will find it appealing for general audiences drawn to adventure and environmental films, while academic libraries will value its combination of field science, historical context, and climate education.
Can Beneath the Polar Sun be used in courses on environmental science, history, or climate studies?
Absolutely. The film is well suited for environmental science courses as it demonstrates the mechanics of sea ice loss and its global impact. History instructors can use it to pair contemporary expeditions with earlier Arctic exploration, comparing human experiences across centuries. Climate studies and geography programs will find it particularly useful, as the film combines firsthand fieldwork with scientific explanation, archival history, and cultural context. Its approachable style ensures it can spark classroom discussion without overwhelming students new to the subject.
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