Quark Expeditions is rolling out the red carpet for the company’s first-ever Floating Polar Film Festival, curated by and in partnership with Toronto’s Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.
Starting November 2, 2013, the Floating Festival will be aboard Quark’s Sea Spirit during the 23-day Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica via Buenos Aires: Explorers and Kings voyage.
“Quark is continually striving to provide its passengers with unique experiences when traveling to the Polar Regions,” said Hans Lagerweij, president of Quark Expeditions. “We are really excited to be able to bring this diverse roster of incredible films to our passengers for what is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Hot Docs selected the films with Quark’s passengers in mind – love of adventure, the environment, globalization, the Polar Regions, and of course, pop culture. In alphabetical order, the films are:
Chasing Ice (USA). Directed by Jeff Orlowski. This visually stunning film follows renowned National Geographic photographer James Balog on a harsh Arctic expedition where he captures a multi-year record of the world’s changing glaciers—undeniable evidence that the planet is in crisis. Director in attendance for the film festival voyages.
Expedition to the End of the World (Denmark). Directed by Daniel Dencik. For a few weeks each year, the North Pole melts just enough to reveal once-hidden, untouched fjords. A boatload of motley artists and scientists set sail in search of life in this hilarious, breathtaking modern-day adventure.
The Human Scale (Denmark). Directed by Andreas M. Dalsgaard “It’s either cars or humans,” says revolutionary architect Jan Gehl, asked how to accommodate the 6.5 billion who will be living in cities by 2050. From NYC to Chongqing, this controversial film examines what urban landscapes could soon be.
Maidentrip (USA). Directed by Jillian Schlesinger. At just 14 years old, Laura Dekker sets out to become the youngest person ever to sail solo around the world. Braving waves and loneliness for two years, she shoots her own amazingly intimate coming-of-age story on the wide open sea.
Under African Skies (USA, South Africa). Directed by Joe Berlinger. The film celebrates the musical accomplishments of Paul Simon’s award-winning album Graceland and investigates the maelstrom of political criticism surrounding the album’s production and release in 1986.
Village at the End of the World (UK, Denmark, Greenland). Directed by Sarah Gavron. A witty, surprising and ultimately feel-good portrait of an isolated Greenlandic village of 59 people and 100 sledge dogs, surviving against the odds.
Which Way is the Front Line From Here? The Life and Time of Tim Hetherington (USA). Directed by Sebastian Junger. In April 2011, filmmaker and photographer Tim Hetherington was killed covering the Libyan civil war. In an intimate portrait by those closest to him, Tim is revealed to be as much a humanitarian as he was an artist.
William and the Windmill (USA). Directed by Ben Nabors. An ingenious 14-year-old Malawian boy builds a windmill from junk, and rescues his family from famine. But when the overwhelming media attention transforms his life, can he survive the massive change?
“We are thrilled to share an eye-opening journey with Quark Expeditions’ passengers through these eight outstanding documentaries,” says Brett Hendrie, Hot Docs executive director. “From witnessing the dramatic consequences of climate change to experiencing a solo sailing voyage around the globe through the eyes of a teenager, the inaugural Floating Polar Film Festival will appeal to their sense of adventure and curiosity about the world.”
Sarafina DiFelice, programming manager at Hot Docs, will also be onboard to help introduce the films and guide passengers through their onboard festival experience. The Floating Festival will be complete with commemorative program, concession stand and souvenirs available at the Polar Boutique.
