Red Snow
An Eskimo Army Sergeant is sent to his Arctic tribal village to gather information about a mysterious unmarked black airplane which shadows military planes in northern Alaska and equally-mysterious flashings lighting up the sky from Siberia across the Bering Strait. He soon discovers Soviet espionage at work. Along the way he must also deal with an ice-floe evacuation, an air-ice rescue, a fight with a polar bear and marriage to his fiancee.
Three Cheers for the Whale
Co-directed by Chris Marker and Mario Ruspoli, Three Cheers for the Whale traces humanity’s complex relationship with whales—from reverence to exploitation—culminating in a stark depiction of industrial whaling. Combining archival imagery, commentary, and documentary footage, the film offers both a historical reflection and a call for ecological awareness.
Iceland Whaling
An important and stunning documentary on whales and modern whaling with historical and scientific background. Most of the footage was shot specifically for this film in the North Atlantic and there are some shots of whale behavior that have never been captured on film before. The film is a significant contribution to the debate on the whaling controversy.
A Taste of Whale
In the Faroe Islands, hundreds of pilot whales are slaughtered each year in a hunt known as the “Grind.” This gruesome tradition has drawn outrage from activists, most notably the international conservation group Sea Shepherd, who routinely sail to the islands to try to block whaling boats. Yet the Faroese are equally determined to maintain their tradition, defending the practice as more sustainable and less cruel than getting meat from slaughterhouses. Director Vincent Kelner spends time with both Faroese hunters and Sea Shepherd crusaders, building to a nuanced look at a disturbing event with much larger implications for the way humans relate to other creatures.
White-Whale Hunters of Anse-Aux-Basques
On the North Shore of the St. Lawrence, the Otis family hunts for white whales and seals with rusty old rifles in hand-crafted boats. This is the traditional method of the Basque whalers who frequented the coast in the 16th century.
The Whale from Lorino
Chukotka is a place located on the edge of Siberia, where the cold winter lasts for ten months. It's a severe land, where only the strongest are able to survive. One of the oldest Siberian tribes lives there for centuries. Its traditions, culture and life in harmony with nature were brutally destroyed by the Soviet regime. Since the collapse of the USSR, they have been trying to survive, missing the wisdom of their ancestors and hope for the future. One of the last sources of life and tradition of Chukchi is whale hunting, but the fate of this old tradition is also threatened. For the Chukchi people, the whales give hope to survive the next winter. When the land of Lorino warms up from the sun, the hunting begins. It is a battle between two worlds, and each of them is on the edge of disappearing forever.
Far Away Islands
Explores the Faroe Islands' complex ties to wildlife, from traditions like the "Grindadráp" dolphin hunt, or the treament of sheep and young bids, to issues like salmon farming, industrial fishing, and pollution. Each year, Captain Paul Watson's team document these practices in this autonomous Danish territory. Featuring unseen footage, the film brings together voices from activists, hunters, scientists, industry leaders, and locals, fostering dialogue between opposing perspectives.
The Islands and the Whales
The whale hunters of the Faroe Islands believe that hunting is vital to their way of life, but, when a local professor makes a grim discovery about the effects of marine pollution, environmental changes threaten their way of life forever.
Whale Wash
Delve into the world of modern whaling in Norwegian waters. Discover the shocking truth about the demand for whale meat, the associated health risks, and its unexpected use in pet food. Experience thrilling hunts firsthand as the crew confronts Norway's largest whaling operators.
Pity the Pilot Whale
Pilot whales are one of the least known of all small whales, and in spite of their name they are one of the largest species of dolphins. Pity the Pilot Whales takes us on an ocean journey, revealing many facets of pilot whale lore that few knew anything about. Why do these highly-intelligent marine mammals strand by the hundreds in certain regions of their known habitat? How do they communicate with one another? How do they find food in the deep dark ocean realm. This film is also a window on how two modern island nations treat these animals, and a statement on humanity and ethics.