The Last Camera: 'Chasing Time' | Green Film Festival of San Francisco 2024
A climate photographer sees an end to his mission, and a way of passing his torch.
Dear Moviegoers,
The planet’s health is damaged, and it is because of man-made climate change. Scientists and researchers have spent decades trying to sound the alarm and provide solutions, but from my perspective, photographer James Balog has had one of the better approaches to getting the word out and making an impact on people. Chasing Time follows James at the tail-end of his years-long project of capturing time-lapse footage of rapidly melting glaciers across the world, but more than that, the film also sees a man reaching his own personal finale in his life’s mission. What more can be done? Was it all enough? Who will press on?
This is a side-quel to the feature-length documentary Chasing Ice, and rightfully so is a bit shorter in length. Chasing Time has little left to say or state, other than that 1) Glaciers tell a story of a world in motion and potential collapse, and 2) The perseverance and effort of photographers and documentarians must be recognized and must go beyond this film. Beautifully shocking imagery makes up the bulk of this movie, acting as more horror than bittersweet sendoff for one man. On occasion, I mean.
There is optimism. There is hope. There is still much to be done. There is always another picture to take. James Balog has realized many a tale in many a frame, but old age and cancer caught up to him, forcing an end to his project. We see as he and his friends dismantle their final operating glacier camera, slowly but surely taking apart its various protective measures and casings, before removing its SD card and viewing the last pictures taken. They don’t cry, but they do enjoy the scenery for one of the few times they ever have. Every other moment was work. Every other moment was a chance to enlighten others.
There’s nothing aggressive in Chasing Time regarding the climate, unlike narrative films such as Don’t Look Up and fellow documentaries like An Inconvenient Truth. Chasing Time knows that we know what’s happening, but just wants to remind of of it and bear witness to the hastening disaster. Audiences watch Balog’s footage, mouths agape and in aghast. What can be done? What can they do?
No answers, no solutions, nothing easy. It’s all somber goodbyes and potential tomorrows here. And indeed, it’s gorgeous and majestic. But something is depressing in this, even when its message depends on showing some heart. That something could be throwing its hands up and just giving in, but that contradicts how it tries to mentor the next generation—which it does rather convincingly. Chasing Time, despite its mixed tones, still teaches plenty. And there’s plenty left to do. 3.5/5
Chasing Time screened at the 2024 Green Film Festival of San Francisco.