Every time there’s a human feat that’s accomplished, instead of celebrating the achievement of yet another thing that seemed impossible by default, there’s a more pessimistic side of society that arises and asks unnecessary questions. From asking “why is that necessary?” to straight up criticizing the effort that perhaps won’t have a significant social effect, people sometimes don’t seem to recognize the struggle is sometimes a bit more personal than it seems.
There’s a reason why people climb impossibly high mountains, and perhaps the reason is unique for each and every single one of those climbers. The rest of us, the audience, can only sit and wonder at the mysterious state of the human mind at reaching the top and seeing the top of the world from its highest point.
Holly Morris made a choice a few years ago. She decided to make an intimate film about an obscure mission that shouldn’t be obscure. Exposure is a fascinating documentary about going beyond a dream through the achievement of something that simply seems impossible.
But the action itself isn’t as important as those who decide to act. Call it an experiment or something born out of stubbornness, what these women complete is an act of courage in a world that doesn’t recognize those too often outside of a bubble whose walls are determined by billions of opinions that simply aren’t relevant in the face of a personal accomplishment.
Exposure is a story led by brave women who face years of traditions, misconceptions, and nature at its extreme. They have been chosen as part of a group who needs to train to reach the North Pole by means of walking. Needless to say, the weather is complex up there. Add to this the existence of polar bears (the environmental situation has driven them up to these places), massive blocks of ice affected by global warming, and the lack of experience. No matter the training, they will face something they can’t even begin to imagine.
From religious principles to issues related to biology, they are forced to overcome every restriction they face, as insignificant as it is. The film is informative enough to go through each of their stories and reveal each of their issues at doing something as “different” as walking to the North Pole and becoming the first ones at something. If you think Exposure becomes too emotional when it shows these women trying to become apt, the ending will be a heartwarming experience.
The documentary feels like an intimate film, and this isn’t very common in extreme adventure documentaries. Morris’ camera warrants a full immersion in a film that doesn’t necessarily have to make us feel part of the experience to make us realize the importance of what they’re doing. Their realization is enough to make us understand why they’re destined to do this.
Are woman the weaker sex? Seems like an idiotic thing to say, and trust me, your mind will be blown at the resilience of these powerful heroes who one day decided to contribute to science and transform the limits as we once understood them. Yes, that’s an effect of what they did and nothing should make us prouder than that.
Founder of Screentology. Member of the OFCS. RT Certified Critic
Dog dad.