ICE ON FIRE

IN LEONARDO DICAPRIO’S

previous climate change documentary, Before the Flood, the actor plays a pivotal, front- ofcamera role.

But in Ice on Fire, a feature-length documentary from DiCaprio and director Leila Conners, I was surprised to see how differently he approaches this issue, providing only narration and letting the scientists take the screen time.

Ice on Fire highlights the impact of melting ice caps and the wider consequences of climate change. But rather than scare-mongering, it focuses on the steps being taken to solve the impending crisis.

Having worked on similar productions myself [marine pollution documentary A Plastic Ocean and the upcoming climate change film The Last Glaciers], I appreciate how Ice on Fire toes the line and manages to balance the level of detail and the need to illustrate the seriousness of the situation.

DiCaprio narrates the documentary, but it treads its own path. It is hypnotic and melodic to watch – allowing you time to think while you’re watching it. I watched a similar documentary a few months ago called Anthropocene, which was beautiful with its long, sweeping shots and aesthetic, but it didn’t have the same sense of urgency.

I didn’t watch the trailer for Ice on Fire and didn’t read too much about it so that I could draw my own conclusions. I was expecting a certain style, but I wasn’t expecting the level of thoughtfulness. Huge, dramatic landscapes are typical of this genre, but here you have abstract shots giving you an unfiltered view of the environment.

Ice on Fire is one rung up from the entry point into the issue of climate change. Its subject matter is serious, but the film maintains an air of optimism throughout. It requires patience, but the experience is more rewarding in the long run.