[CHASING ICE
opens in Cleveland on Friday December 7th exclusively at the Cedar
Lee Theatre.]
Review
by Bob Ignizio
James Balog is a nature photographer
who uses time lapse photography to capture visual evidence of
climate change. In CHASING ICE,
Filmmaker Jeff Orlowski chronicles the efforts of Balog and his team,
showing how even the very real risk of lasting personal injury isn't
enough to dissuade Balog from his efforts. Considering how many
people, especially in the United States, still believe (or pretend to
believe) there's a legitimate controversy in the scientific community
regarding climate change, one has to wonder if Balog's efforts are
really worth it. As he sums it up near the end of the film, though,
at least this way he can tell his daughters he did everything he
could.
At any rate, both Balog's time lapse
images and the story behind how he gets them provide ample interest
for a documentary feature. If nothing else, the footage of glaciers
collapsing into the sea is amazing. But the human element is
fascinating as well, and one has to admire Balog's efforts to show
in a clear, straight forward manner that anyone can understand that
this global warming thing is real.
Having a laudable message is not enough
in and of itself to make for a good film. Take AN INCONVENIENT
TRUTH, for example. I
essentially agree with what it had to say, but it was a mediocre film
at best; a crushing bore of a PowerPoint presentation that preached
mainly to the converted. CHASING ICE
may not be as substantive of a film, but it uses the strengths of the
visual medium much better, and because of that it might actually
reach some of the more rational climate change skeptics. As we see in
the film itself, Balog's work has convinced at least one former oil
company employee to switch teams. Here's hoping this movie makes a
few more converts, because ultimately this is a far more important
issue than any “fiscal cliff”. 3 out of 4 stars.
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