This Cold Life

Meet the colorful characters who choose to live in the isolation of the world's northernmost town, where polar bears outnumber humans. Twenty-two hundred souls from all over the world cling to their life in Svalbard, Norway, even as the effects of climate change become more apparent and the guarantees of coal-mining diminish. What keeps these folks in such an unforgiving environment? As the film unspools, that question begins to answer itself as the glorious vistas and the idiosyncrasies of the residents emerge. These are fascinating folk living in jaw-dropping if stark beauty. Meet Pastor Leif, hospitality expert Anna Lisa, coal miner Linda, artist Olaf. Take a sip of "Polar Beer" - the local brew. And then take a boat to meet Sasha, the only resident and sole guardian of Pyridium, a frozen museum to the good/bad old days of the Soviet. Long after you have returned to the Florida sunshine, Sasha's song will stick with you. (Florida Film Festival)