The documentary Time and Water, directed by Sara Dosa, attempts to address the looming climate disaster through the lens of Icelandic author Andri Snær Magnason. However, the film ultimately falls short, burdened by an elegiac tone and excessive focus on personal anecdotes rather than urgent climate commentary.
A Missed Opportunity for Climate Urgency
Magnason, known for his poignant obituary of the Ok glacier—the first Icelandic glacier to vanish entirely—brings a personal touch to the narrative. Yet the film prioritizes his family home videos and musings over the stark realities of global warming. The melting glaciers in the north are directly linked to extreme heat in the global south, with profound implications for geopolitical stability and migration. Instead of addressing these pressing issues, the documentary lingers on sweet but ultimately pointless footage of Magnason’s grandparents, accompanied by sugary ambient music.
Visual Beauty vs. Substance
National Geographic’s production values are evident in the visually pleasing cinematography, but this cannot compensate for the lack of piercing analysis. The film’s stately pacing and tasteful aesthetics undermine the urgency of the climate crisis. While the funeral scenes for Magnason’s elders are affecting, they do not justify the interminable length of the home-movie segments.
In the end, Magnason tells crowds, “We know what needs to be done,” but the film offers little beyond this platitude. Reducing carbon emissions is a known solution, yet time is running out. Time and Water is a frustrating and precious piece of work that fails to deliver the incisive commentary the topic demands.
Time and Water is in UK cinemas from 12 June.
