Four years ago, a crew of scientists and artists set sail for one of the most majestic and inhospitable places on the planet. Next week, a film about their adventure will be shown at Star Hall on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m.
“Expedition to the End of the World” documents a Danish group’s journey to the rapidly melting massifs of northeast Greenland. The crew encounters polar bears, remnants of Stone Age culture and new species – on landscapes that humans likely never visited before.
“They’re exploring unmapped areas; unexplored territories,” while also confronting “the existential questions of life,” said Jessie Magleby, event organizer and Grand County Public Library assistant.
Since September 2011, Grand County Public Library and the Utah Film Center have collaborated to bring the monthly movie screenings to Moab. The ongoing free film series gives Moab residents an opportunity to watch independent, unique films that you typically won’t find in small-town theaters.
The Salt Lake City-based Utah Film Center is a nonprofit organization that offers free documentary, independent and dramatic movie showings in communities across Utah. The film center also does youth media education in Utah public schools, and organizes three film festivals each year.
Artistic director Patrick Hubley said he tracks films worldwide by attending, or researching film festivals, reading magazines and visiting websites.
“I keep my eye out for new and interesting films,” Hubley said. “’Expedition to the End of the World’ is a beautifully shot film. I was incredibly fascinated by it.”
“Expedition to the End of the World” was directed by Daniel Dencik. The film contains a “great dose of humor,” beautiful photography, and an interesting soundtrack ranging from Mozart’s “Requiem” to music by the heavy metal band, Metallica, Magleby said.
“It’s going to be a lovely way to spend a hot August evening,” Magleby said.
“Expedition to the End of the World” was an official selection at the 2013 Vancouver International Film Festival, the 2013 Los Angeles Film Festival, the 2013 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and the 2013 UK Green Film Festival.
The Grand County Public Library has long offered free movie showings to the community – but in the past the library paid royalty rights, or had to buy permission from particular studios to screen the films, Magleby said. Collaborating with the Utah Film Center has saved money and increased options.
“We are able to bring much more variety, and newer films now,” Magleby said.
Utah Film Center founder Geralyn Dreyfous has produced several films that have been shown in Moab. “Misrepresentation” is about how women and girls are portrayed in the media; and “The Invisible War” is about rape in the military. Dreyfous was present for both film screenings to answer questions afterward.
Another notable film by Dreyfous shown in Moab was “Alive Inside,” about the effects of music on people with dementia.
The movies typically draw about 120 viewers – although when the film “Wrenched” – about Edward Abbey was shown the room filled to capacity, Magleby said.
“We try and bring a mix of documentary and feature films,” Magleby said. “Oftentimes there’s added context,” in the form of a question and answer period with the filmmaker, or panel discussions afterward.
While movies are always free, donations are appreciated to help pay the audio-visual technician, Magleby said.
The majority of the film series’ movies are available on DVD from the library’s collection.
Movie documents crew’s exploration of unmapped Greenland territory
“It’s going to be a lovely way to spend a hot August evening.”
When: Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m.
Where: Star Hall, 159 E. Center St.
Cost: Free
Information: www.expeditionthemovie.dk/about/the-film
