On The Ice

On The Ice

On The Ice storyline: In the isolated, frozen town of Barrow, Alaska, Iñupiaq teenagers Qalli and Aivaaq have grown up like brothers in a tight-knit community defined as much by ancient traditions as by hip-hop and snowmobiles. Early one morning, on a seal hunt with their friend James, a tussle turns violent, and James is killed. Panic stricken, terrified, and with no one to blame but themselves, Qalli and Aivaaq lie and declare the death a tragic accident. As Barrow roils with grief and his protective father becomes suspicious, Qalli stumbles through guilt-filled days, wrestling with his part in the death. For the first time in his life, he's treading alone on existential ice. Written by Anonymous

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It took me a while to muster up the nerve to watch this movie as I thought that the storyline might be upsetting to me. Too much gritty realism in movies is distressing to my kind tender soul. There was also the worry that the movie producers would botch the representation of life in Barrow. Alaska has been misrepresented so many times that there is a lack of trust on my part in the way the outside world views Alaska and the people that live here. Having also lived in Barrow we have a clearer understanding of what it means to live near the ice and in a village.

There were a few tense moments in the movie along with the fact that one young man dies but the movie producers were able to portray the realism of the events and yet give the viewing audience the emotional distance needed to stay focused on the hope for a good outcome. The ending really did have a lining of hope. Hope that young people who have gone astray from a healthy family and community culture can make a left turn back to the right. Hope that a young person who did not have the best of family upbringings can break the cycle of destruction and start anew. They can choose what kind of person they want to be, correct a mistake, and choose the right path.

On The Ice was a true representation of life as it currently is in Barrow. A very thought provoking movie about the Iñupiaq culture, the one worth saving, and the one that it has become in the last 60 years with many non-redeeming qualities.

The last song during the ending credits is wonderful and gives a message of hope that the old can mix with the new in a healthy way. The path just has to be found, by more than just a few ~ by all!