Last Days of the Arctic

Last Days of the Arctic is a compelling and heartfelt visual journey that provides a deeply touching narrative of a dramatically changing Arctic environment. Directed by Magnus Vidar Sigurdsson and released in 2011, the documentary follows celebrated photographer Ragnar Axelsson, also known as RAX, as he traverses the rapidly changing landscapes of the Arctic.

Ragnar Axelsson, for over three decades, has been captivated by the harsh beauty of the Arctic, mainly Iceland and Greenland, and the resilient livelihood of Inuit communities. Through his photographic lens, Ragnar has sought to encapscribe the rapid environmental changes and cultural transformations that have been sweeping through the Arctic region.

The movie's mesmerizing visual narrative is laden with remarkable and raw imagery, beautifully shot in black and white, integrating the artistic depth of photography with the expansive cinematic experience. The movie uniquely amalgamates Ragnar's photography with dramatic landscapes and the untamed elements of the Arctic region.

The film commences with Ragnar Axelsson returning to the Arctic, laden with anticipation yet harboring a melancholic acknowledgement of the speeding transformations that he will witness. As Ragnar steps back into the arctic wilderness, echoed by the chilling winds and framed by endless expanses of snow, the audience experiences an immediate immersion into the stark realities of climate change. There's a compelling tension between the ethereal beauty of the unforgiving landscapes, invariably captured in Axelsson's photography, and the lurking dread of an impending environmental catastrophe.

Ragnar's closeness to the Arctic's communities becomes markedly evident as he travels deep into the region, once via dog sleds and helicopters and at other times on foot, experiencing first-hand the traditional lives being irrevocably altered by the encroaching realities of global warming. It's not merely an environmental documentary; instead, it embraces the human element, painting a poignant picture of the native communities trying to maintain their traditional ways as the world around them metamorphoses.

As Axelsson states, "The Arctic is changing faster than any other area on the planet." The inhabitants have become victims of a changing climate that is gradually eroding their ancestral lifestyle, making hunting and fishing, essential aspects of their survival, progressively difficult. His intimate encounters with the Inuit people, huddled in their homes amidst blizzards, their persistent efforts to eke out a subsistence despite the shrinking hunting grounds, offer a compelling and humanistic narrative.

Axelsson's photography takes center stage, reflecting the heartbreak, perseverance, and raw beauty of the Arctic and its inhabitants. His images are truthful narratives that fearlessly evoke the spectrum of emotions swirling within the photographer and the subjects. The striking images capture the threats posed to these simple lives, slowly losing the battle against an implacable enemy, climate change. However, the film also chronicles the resilience and adaptability of these communities, providing a glimmer of hope in the immense social and environmental challenges they face.

The captivating soundtrack by Mogwai, a Scottish post-rock band, adds another emotive layer to the film. Their ethereal soundscapes seem to echo the winds of the Arctic, creating an immersive ambiance that gently complements the striking visuals, intensifying the narrative's overall emotional resonance.

The film does not overpower viewers with hard-hitting, emotion-laden scenarios nor burdensome scientific explanations of climate change. Instead, it takes a more gentle approach of slowly unveiling the harsh beauties, stark realities, and rapid metamorphoses in one of the world's most remote and vulnerable territories.

Last Days of the Arctic serves as a potent reminder of the human vulnerability and responsibilities in the face of an ecological apocalypse, with Axelsson's beautiful but grim images bearing testament to the urgency of combating climate change. It is also a testament to Axelsson's profound commitment and unyielding passion as a documentarian and a photographer, his dedication evident in every raw image and sincere interaction with the Arctic inhabitants.

By the end of the film, viewers are left with a renewed appreciation for the beauty and frailty of the Arctic, as well as a sense of urgency about the steps needed to preserve this unique environment and its inhabitants. Last Days of the Arctic portrays all these with a subtlety that transcends the conventional confinements of an environmental documentary. This is a thought-provoking film that urges us to consider the irreversible consequences our lifestyle might inflict upon the world's last remaining natural sanctuaries.