Watch Antarctica: Ice & Sky

Antarctica: Ice & Sky is a 2015 documentary film directed by Luc Jacquet. The movie tells the story of pioneering French glaciologist Claude Lorius and his lifetime of achievement in exploring, researching and raising awareness about the effects of climate change. The film documents Lorius' expeditions to Antarctica, where he and his team study the frozen continent's ancient ice to learn about the Earth's climate history and the correlation between atmospheric concentrations of CO2 and global temperature change.

The movie begins by introducing the audience to Lorius and showing his passion for science and exploration. We learn about his fascination with ice, his experiences as a young glaciologist, and the challenges he faced during expeditions in Antarctica in the 1950s and 1960s. The film then takes us on a journey through time, showcasing Lorius' work over several decades, and how his research played an important role in informing the world about the devastating effects of global warming.

Antarctica: Ice & Sky uses stunning photography to depict the beauty of Antarctica, as well as Lorius' scientific work. Jacquet combines contemporary footage with archive material to create a vivid history of Lorius' career, and to demonstrate the transformation of Antarctica's landscape over the years. The director also includes some of the most important events in environmental activism and climate science, which have helped raise awareness about global warming.

Throughout the documentary, we hear from a range of experts, environmental campaigners and scientists, all of whom emphasise Lorius' influence on their field of work. We also hear from Lorius' family members and colleagues, who provide a more personal perspective on his life and career. Interviews with key figures in the environmental movement, such as Greenpeace's Executive Director Kumi Naidoo and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, provide a broader context on the urgency of climate change action.

The documentary also sheds light on the scientific method behind Lorius' work. We learn how the ice cores that he and his team collected reveal a staggering amount of data about the Earth's history, including levels of carbon dioxide and atmospheric temperature dating back millions of years. The film highlights how Lorius' analysis of this data has contributed to the creation of climate models and the understanding that today's rates of climate change are unprecedented in human history.

In addition to Lorius' work, the film also acknowledges the challenges that arise from studying harsh environments such as Antarctica. We are shown the difficulties faced by Lorius and his team, who often had to brave extreme weather conditions while conducting their research. Despite these challenges, Lorius remained optimistic and driven by his passion for science and protecting the environment.

Overall, Antarctica: Ice & Sky presents a thought-provoking narrative that raises important questions about the future of our planet. The documentary celebrates the remarkable achievements of Claude Lorius as a scientist and a public figure, and highlights his significant contribution to the research on climate change. The film provides crucial insight into the consequences of global warming and the urgent need for action on the issue.

In conclusion, Antarctica: Ice & Sky is an engaging and informative documentary, which succeeds in conveying the urgency of the situation and inspiring its audiences to take action. With Claude Lorius' inspiring life story, Luc Jacquet succeeded in making a film that stresses on the consequences of climate change and the need to change our ways.

Antarctica: Ice & Sky is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 61.