Season 1 | Episode 1

Guardians of the Antarctic

Society/Environment, Belgium 2020

A documentary series aimed at understanding the work of the "Ice Rangers": the men and women who manage the daily practical aspects of the Princess Elisabeth polar station. What drives them to isolate themselves on this base? How do they manage their emotions and personal lives? Alongside this daily life, the series will explore the scientific missions and challenges, raising more universal questions to understand why it is important to continue research on this white continent and what implications it holds for the future on a global and climatic level. It is called “White Mars.” A deserted, frozen plain at the edge of Antarctica, where a terrestrial space base lies in silence: the Princess Elisabeth station. Forty people are preparing to spend four months there, joined by scientists. Isolated from the rest of the world, each focused on their mission, how do they organize themselves to survive in these extreme conditions? To what end? In a breathtaking setting, the International Polar Foundation (IPF) welcomes us to the station, the first in Antarctica to operate solely on renewable energy. The scientists have only one goal: to demonstrate that it is possible to achieve “zero emissions,” even in an extreme environment. For two months, I will live in immersion, on the station's schedule, which means no day and no night. I will follow the scientists to see and understand the effects of climate change as a privileged observer, but I also want to follow the ice rangers, those daredevils who agree to do all the jobs necessary for the scientists to carry out their missions. Who is the cook responsible this year for managing the food supply for the next two years? Why does this mountain guide accompany the scientists on missions outside the station, risking his life? What motivates the retired doctor who has been coming every winter for the past 10 years? How does a mechanic work to keep very special machines running at all costs, or the carpenters who will be numerous this year to rebuild a crack in the annex? I want to understand, but I also want to make climate change as visible as possible by gathering testimonials from the many scientists from all over the world who will be present at the station, as well as from ordinary witnesses, the rangers. The documentary series aims to understand the work of ice rangers. The journey may seem like a dream, but it involves a multitude of constraints that only enthusiasts are willing to live with on a daily basis. How do they manage their emotions and their private lives in relation to their passion? What drives them to make a living from this profession? But also to understand why it is important to continue research on this white continent and what challenges this represents for the future at a global level?
52 min
HD
Starting at 0
Audio language:
French

More information

Director:

Xavier Ziomek

Sound Design:

Guillaume Marique

Original title:

Les gardiens de l'Antarctique

Original language:

French

Format:

2:1 HD, Color

Age rating:

Starting at 0

Audio language:

French

Subtitles (SDH):

French