Expedition to the End of the World, The

Even today when we cling to the unassailable belief that we have by now ventured into every corner of the planet, we still find blank spots on the world map. The northeastern section of Greenland is entirely untraversed as it is trapped the year round, save for the short northern summer, under an endless mass of ice. This is the destination of an unusual expedition to a region of majestic fjords and floating ice temples – sailors side-by-side with geographers, biologists, illustrators, and photographers make up the diverse crew of a massive, three-masted schooner that probes mysteries hidden at the very ends of the earth. Perhaps it is the encounter with the unknown, or maybe the breathtaking natural scenery that inspires the members of the expedition with a desire to share their own novel reflections on modern civilization. Director Daniel Dencik, who recorded the entire epic adventure, put together a visually lambasting, gently humorous documentary essay that has screened at dozens of world festivals since its fall premiere. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)