The film depicts two kinds of journeys to Antarctica. On the one hand, there is a physical journey, driven by the effort, hard work, and dedication of a group of men who sail across various seas on a military ship to fulfill their mission in Antarctica. On the other hand, there is a spiritual journey we undertake across the white continent, guided by a voice that seems to emerge from this desolate, frozen wasteland.
In a conversation with the film’s producer, Gerardo Castelli, we sought to understand what lies behind this frozen man.
How did the idea for this project come about?
We’ve been working with Carolina on this film for four years now. It all stems from a photograph taken by her mother, showing a man raising a flag on a pole in the middle of a snowy landscape. Carolina’s mother is a scientist and has traveled to Antarctica several times, and that photograph raises a question: Why do we go to the ends of the earth to try to replicate the gestures of a society that doesn’t exist in that desolate place? Why do men and women risk their lives trying to carry out missions—military or scientific—in an inhospitable place where nature is stronger than man and life as we know it is impossible? These questions motivated the research and planted the seed for what would eventually become *The Frozen Man*.
Who was part of the film's production team?
During the shoot, it was just Carolina, who handled the camera, and me, who took care of the sound; we handled the production between the two of us. We originally tried to bring a third person onto the team, but that wasn’t possible due to the limited number of available spots at the Artigas Base in Antarctica, so only the two of us were able to make the trip.
Wasn't that a problem during filming?
Of course it was—there were just the two of us carrying a lot of delicate equipment on a constantly rocking ship, with many narrow corridors and steep staircases. Filming under those conditions was very difficult, but at the same time beneficial for the movie. The ship’s 140 crew members were aware of our effort and hard work, and that made them willing and open to sharing their own, plus they helped us at every turn, creating an atmosphere of trust that made our work easier. Likewise, the inability to have a third crew member—who was supposed to be the photographer—meant that Carolina had to handle the camera, something that, I believe, benefited the film because her perspective was imprinted on every shot of a film that, despite how distant it may seem, deals with a very personal subject.
What was it like to be in Antarctica?
It was like being on another planet; any trace of humanity fades away in a place like that. The spaces are pure, untouched by our presence. It’s a place that makes you feel small and vulnerable in the face of nature’s vastness and beauty.
Did they find the answers to the questions that prompted the trip?
I think you'll have to watch the movie to find out.