Beyond the Pole
My love of Alexander Skarsgard (Generation Kill, True Blood) is initially what attracted me to this film, but after reading the blurb on the ICA(Institute of Contemporary Arts) website, I sadly realized he’s only a minor character. However, by this point the film had caught my attention, and I did something I rarely do…bought tickets in advance for a screening. It helped that the ICA has Happy Mondays where all tickets are only £5, but after seeing the film, I can safely say I would have been fine with paying full price on a Tuesday.
Beyond the Pole is a mockumentary about 2 friends, who in an effort to bring attention to global warming, want to be the first unsupported, carbon-neutral, organic and vegetarian expedition to attempt the North Pole. Environmentalist Mark Bark Jones, played by Stephen Mangan, wants to do something spectacular, and convinces his buddy Brian(Rhys Thomas) to come along…although Brian is really only in it because he wants to make the Guinness Book of World Records. The one problem with their plan is neither man has any expeditionary experience.
Although the film is definitely a comedy, it has it serious moments. At one point I think I even felt a tear roll down my cheek(keep in mind, commercials have been known to make me cry). As the friends journey through the Artic, things go from bad to worse…lips getting frozen to hip flasks, close encounters with polar bears, cold that they never imagined and an experienced Norwegian team(enter Alexander) that is also aiming to be the first unsupported, carbon-neutral, organic and vegetarian expedition. After their cameraman has an unfortunate accident and the two men carry on alone, Mark starts to lose it. His ambition and drive quickly turn to aggression and insanity, and the audience begins to wonder if our heroes will make it out alive.
Shot in Greenland, not only is Beyond the Pole entertaining and unique, it’s beautiful to look at. The filmmakers succeeded in their quest to keep me laughing, but also make me think about what I can be doing to help save the planet. Definitely a two thumbs up!
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