| Chasing Ice | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jeff Orlowski |
| Written by | Mark Monroe |
| Produced by | Paula DuPre' Pesemen, Jerry Aronson |
| Cinematography | Jeff Orlowski |
| Edited by | Davis Coombe |
| Music by | J. Ralph |
| Distributed by | Submarine Deluxe |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 75 min |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1,331,836 |
Chasing Ice is a 2012documentary film about the efforts of nature photographerJames Balog and hisExtreme Ice Survey (EIS) to publicize the effects ofclimate change. The film was directed byJeff Orlowski.[1] It was released in the United States on November 16, 2012.
The documentary includes scenes from a glaciercalving event that took place atJacobshavn Isbræ inGreenland, lasting 75 minutes, the longest such event ever captured on film.[2][3] Two EIS videographers waited several weeks in a small tent overlooking the glacier and, finally, witnessed 7.4 cubic kilometres (1.8 cu mi) of ice crashing off[4] the glacier. "The calving of a massive glacier believed to have produced the ice that sank theTitanic is like watching a city break apart."[4]
Environmental photographerJames Balog heads toGreenland,Iceland andAlaska in order to capture images that will help to convey theeffects of global warming. Balog was initially skeptical about climate change when the issue entered scientific discussion, but after his first trip north, he becomes convinced of the impact that humans have on the planet and becomes committed to bringing the story to the public.
Within months of the first trip to Iceland, Balog initiates The Extreme Ice Survey, an expedition to collect data on the seasonal changes of glaciers. Balog and his team deploy cameras that utilizetime-lapse photography across various places in theArctic to capture a multi-year record of the world's glaciers.
The expedition starts off poorly as the team is plagued by numerous technical problems and camera malfunctions. Meanwhile, due to the extreme physical nature of the expeditions, Balog's personal health suffers in the form of knee complications.
After making improvements to the equipment, Balog and his team finally collect time-lapse photographs that depict the drastic erosion and disappearance of enormous, ancient glaciers.
As of October 2020[update], this film has a rating of 96% onRotten Tomatoes, based on 72 reviews and an average score of 7.6/10. The website's critical consensus states, "Chasing Ice captures the urgency of climate change while prevailing as entertainment, thanks [to] the awe-inspiring scenery and James Balog's charisma".[5] It also has a score of 75 out of 100 onMetacritic, based on 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[6]
The film won theSatellite Award for Best Documentary Film.
The film received anAcademy Award nomination forBest Original Song for the song "Before My Time," written byJ. Ralph and performed byScarlett Johansson andJoshua Bell.[7]