Educational Media Reviews Online

Director Holly Morris used an all-women film crew to document the 2018 North Pole over-ice expedition of 11 women. The women, novices from the Arab world and the West, were led by polar explorer Felicity Aston. Aston conceived of this quest and recruited 10 volunteers from almost 1000 applicants. The women selected were diverse in age, culture, and experience in a strive to be a representative group of women.

In the first 40 minutes of the film, we start to get to know some of the women and the “whys” of their decisions to take on this grueling and dangerous trek as they go through the two years of training and preparation. Mostly the women want to challenge themselves mentally and physically and in turn, inspire other women and girls. Several eye the accomplishment of becoming the first woman or person from their country to ski to the North Pole.

Additionally, we get to observe how this expedition is a cultural experiment as women from Arab and Western European cultures develop into a team, despite differences in culture and language, as well as personalities. These differences cause some friction at times, but much of what we see is how the women recognize the need and the importance of working together and respecting and valuing each other and their unique talents.

While the film only focuses on a few of the women, those who are the most spirited and captivating, Exposure is an exciting film because these women break stereotypes along culture and gender lines. The viewer gets to witness positive and varied representations of Muslim women and women succeeding together, without the support or interference of men. Exposure upends the predominately White male expedition genre and demonstrates the importance and ability of environmental and outdoor movements to be accessible and inclusive.

Exposure is also an important historical film. Due to geopolitical conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, and climate change resulting in poor ice conditions, at the time of this review, there have been no more attempts to reach the North Pole since this 2018 achievement.

Awards:
Prix de l’Aventurière La Boulangère Bio, Festival International du Film et du Livre d'Aventure; Breakthrough Film Award, Jackson Wild; Best Directing Award, Woodstock; Audience Award, Doclands; Audience Award, DC Environmental Film Festival; Best Adventure Film, BreckFilm; Winner Jen Snyder Bryceland Award, Lighthouse International FF; Best Adventure Film, Boulder International Film Festival; Best Cinematography, Thin Line; Wild Spirit Award, New York Wild Film Festival; Award of Excellence, Documentary Feature, Impact Docs Awards; Award of Excellence, Documentary Feature, IndieFEST Film Awards; Best Adventure and Exploration Film, Kendal Mountain Festival; Spotlight Gold Award, Spotlight Doc Awards; Special Jury Award 2023, Hollywood Arab Film Festival

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