'Polaris' Trailer: Kirsten Carthew's Apocalyptic Frozen Wasteland Film Premieres At Fantasia Festival

How would you survive in the harshest climates? The film “Polaris” places its protagonist, a girl named Sumi, into a frozen nightmare. This extreme landscape sets the stage for her rush to freedom and eventual push towards the title’s namesake star, her journey ultimately exposing the young traveler to the benefits of friendship when facing insurmountable odds. A pan-Canadian co-production between the Yukon, Quebec, and Ontario, the project shines a light on the talents of a multi-hyphenate intent on challenging tropes.

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Filmmaker Kirsten Carthew offers a cinematic adventure that focuses on stark visuals over dialogue. For the director, it was an experience that found its nucleus in the initial screenwriting sessions. Describing the entire process as “liberating,” Carthew instead creates something akin to early cinematic history. Viewers encounter a newly created language for the film without the conveniences of subtitles or dubbing. “I believe this approach encourages a more emotionally immersive type of film-watching that is empathy-based, intuitive, and universal,” the director/writer said in a statement. “This was all part of the excitement (risk) and motivation (faith) to develop ‘Polaris’ as a feature film.”

Here is the film’s official synopsis:

Set in 2144 against the harsh backdrop of a frozen wasteland, Sumi, a human child raised by Mama Polar Bear narrowly escapes capture from a brutal Morad hunting party and sets out across the vast winter landscape. When Sumi stumbles across Frozen Girl, an unlikely friendship is forged, and together they race ahead of the vindictive hunters towards the only guiding light Sumi knows, the Polaris star.

Viva Lee, Khamisa Wilsher, Muriel Dutil, Kara Wooten, Dinah Gaston, and Charlene Francique star in “Polaris.” The film premieres on the opening night of this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival. It is also scheduled for a Canadian theatrical release. Watch the trailer below.