Iceland Aurora

"Iceland Aurora" is a non-narrative time lapse film that beautifully showcases the hypnotic displays of aurora borealis (also known as northern lights) in the highland wilderness of the intriguing country Iceland. The film, which was produced and directed by Kwon O Chul and Henry Jun Wah Lee in 2014, is an example of aesthetic filmmaking at its best. It was released on December 22, 2014.

The predominant theme of this visual symphony is the contrast drawn between the silent serenity of the Icelandic landscapes and the vibrant and metaphysical dance of the ethereal auroras. It's a visual journey envisioned to capture, hold, and celebrate the captivating beauty of the Icelandic nature and nightscapes.

The film is an uninterrupted flow of time-lapse sequences, the fluid vibrant colors of the auroras flowing against the stark landscapes offering a mesmerizing effect. The film has been orchestrated to capture various aspects and locations of Iceland, covering several topographies, spanning from mossy rocks, glassy lakes, undulating waterfalls, dome-studded expanse of mountains, furnished with ice and snow, and the great Atlantic ocean.

The film is not just about its visually captivating presentation; it also digs deep into the element of time. The Time-lapse technique used to capture day-night transitions, seasonal shifts, cloud-motion, and moving shadows successfully instills a sense of 'deep time', transporting the audience into the vastitude of geological epochs.

"Iceland Aurora" is a 64-minute visual treat that transcends you seamlessly from one visual spectacle to the other. Most notably, it’s shot under the lens of world-class astrophotographers Kwon O Chul and Henry Jun Wah Lee, both acclaimed for their knack of astro-landscape cinematography. Their ability to depict the cosmic power of these celestial events in the minimalistic Icelandic nature is awe-inspiring.

The sound design by the composer Peter Nanasi perfectly complements the visuals. His work provides the ideal auditory ambience that resonates with the on-screen visuals, amplifying the overall viewing experience. His ability to create sounds that complement the visuals facilitates an immersive experience, which is sometimes introspective and at other times transcendently majestic.

The film goes beyond showcasing the beauty of the Icelandic landscapes and the mysterious dancing lights alone. It sends an underlying message about the beauty, grandeur, and significance of the natural world, reminding us to appreciate and respect our coexistence with it. The film distills the immensity of the natural phenomenon into human terms, thereby offering a poignant reflection on our connection to the broader cosmos.

Year round filming offered the filmmakers a chance richly to depict the changing seasons and varying landscapes, as the country morphs from the green lush of summer to the snowy white of winter. It presents the country's landscape in various shifting mood and scenarios, each unique and grand in its rights.

"Iceland Aurora" isn't mainly a film to tell a story but more to evoke feeling and emotion. It leverages art, science, technology, and natural wonder to create a point of convergence, where the audience is left at the mercy of the sublime and often perplexing universe. The viewing experience undoubtedly has a calming and powerful effect on the audience.

There is no dialogue in the film, which intensifies the focus on visual experience and emotional grain. The beauty here lies in the silence, where the magnificent nature speaks for itself. The 'no dialogue' strategy helps to uphold the universality of the theme and experience it offers.

The cinematography of the film holds a definite magic; it pulls you into its world, every frame described as a moving portrait where elements come to life. Whether it's the low angle capturing the moving panorama of the sky, the mid-shots capturing the dainty and robust elements of the landscapes, or the high angle shots encapsulating the majestic vastness of Iceland, each shot contributes significantly to the general composite of the film.

"Iceland Aurora" is that kind of film which stands as a testament to the incredible beauty that our natural world has to offer - it's a sort of pilgrimage for nature lovers and a reel of inspiration for admirers of visual arts. To sum up, the film manages to express more in silence than many can with a torrent of words. It is absolutely a treat for anyone who cherishes the immense beauty and mysteries of our cosmos.