Glacial Balance 2013
Distributed by Ethan Steinman
Produced by Ethan Steinman
Directed by Ethan Steinman
DVD , color, 95 min.
College - General Adult
Earth Sciences, Ecology, Global Warming, Globalization
Date Entered: 05/01/2014
Reviewed by Carrie M. Macfarlane, Head of Research and Instruction, Library and Information Services, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VTGlacial Balance takes us high into the Andes, where we witness the effects of the disappearance of mountain glaciers. Melting ice is just one phase of a cycle that links together rural farmers, nearby city-dwellers, international scientists, and an economy of global consumption.
The film explores climate change through extensive interviews and narration-free video. Some farmers are struggling to grow food for their families while others ship produce abroad. Engineers worry about the water supply for hydroelectric dams that power local cities. Scientists who use ice cores to study climate history are struggling to gather evidence before it melts away.
With striking scenery and interviews that describe the day-to-day experience of people suffering the consequences of climate change, Glacial Balance offers an uncommon perspective. When we imagine icy glaciers, how many of us picture the tropics of South America? But these distant and unfamiliar mountaintops are as worthy of attention as any other climate-related casualty.
The linkages between remote Andean glaciers and the populated world seem to be among the most important points of this film. However, because the film has no narrator, the message is somewhat opaque. More guidance regarding the overall path of the film, better sound quality for outdoor interviews, and larger on-screen text for names and subtitles could have created a more impactful viewing experience.
This DVD is recommended with reservations for college through adult audiences. The topic is worthwhile and the interviews and scenery are compelling, but the film falls short in its finishing touches.