National Geographic Collaborates with Oscar Nominee Sara Dosa on a Thought-Provoking Film About Life and Nature at CPH:DOX
Sara Dosa Transitions from Volcanoes to Glaciers in New Documentary
Filmmaker Sara Dosa, known for her compelling storytelling, has made a notable shift from fiery volcanoes to the delicate subject of melting glaciers with her latest project, Time and Water. Following her Academy Award-nominated film Fire of Love, which chronicled the lives of vulcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, Dosa’s newest documentary explores climate change’s impact on Iceland’s glaciers.
Time and Water premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and has garnered attention at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen, where it is set to screen again on Sunday. The documentary features the narrative of author Andri Snær Magnason, who grew up in Iceland and is confronting the profound loss of a glacier his family never expected to see vanish.
“Everything is bigger in Iceland. The landscapes, the elements, the depth of time,” a program note from CPH:DOX reads. “Now, the ice is melting, and everything has changed forever.”
Dosa collaborated with Magnason to create a poignant exploration of existential themes amid severe environmental changes. During a recent panel at the CPH:Conference, she reflected on her initial meeting with Magnason while developing her previous film, The Seer and the Unseen, also set in Iceland. This connection laid the groundwork for their partnership in Time and Water.
“When we were making that film, everybody told us, ‘You must meet Andri Snær Magnason,’” Dosa stated, expressing her excitement about collaborating with a figure she viewed as a profound voice in contemporary literature.
The inspiration for Time and Water arose from an article Magnason wrote titled “How Do You Say Goodbye to a Glacier?” This piece addressed the realities of climate change as embodied by the Okjökull glacier, which was deemed dead after significant thinning.
“I read that article and felt it posed such a profound question at a time when many of us are grappling with these unfathomable losses,” Dosa explained.
Producer Shane Boris, who also worked on Fire of Love, emphasized the independence with which Dosa and their team originally functioned. Their collaboration with National Geographic has since led to more significant opportunities. Boris remarked, “That was the first time we got paid for our work… it was beyond our wildest expectations.”
Carolyn Bernstein, EVP of Global Scripted Content and Documentary Films at National Geographic, noted their passion for the creators’ vision. Upon seeing Fire of Love at Sundance, she recalled, “We were completely captivated… We said, ‘We must do whatever we can to make this film a National Geographic film.’”
Dosa acknowledged certain challenges during production, particularly navigating feedback from executives. Despite stresses, Boris highlighted a generally harmonious working relationship, saying, “We wanted to share the film to let NatGeo know how we were progressing… we would ultimately be able to make the film that the film wanted to be.”
Time and Water is poised for a robust awards campaign, examining themes of geological time and human connection with nature, similar to Dosa’s previous work. Yet, she emphasized the distinct storytelling in this film. “It’s a love letter to Iceland and to glaciers,” Dosa stated, highlighting its unique narrative focused on Magnason’s perspective.
As audiences await the film’s broader release, Dosa’s deft portrayal of the sublime and tragic in natural landscapes promises to resonate deeply in the current climate discourse.
