Melt

Nikolaus Geyrhalter takes viewers on a meditative journey through the snowy and icy landscapes of Japan, Canada, Iceland, the Alps, and Antarctica. The film explores environmental changes, thousands of forms of snow and ice, and balances between awe and the melancholy of a world in flux. Geyrhalter guides viewers through these frozen landscapes, where people share how their world is changing. The film showcases thousands of snow and ice formations, their colors, and the majesty of the landscapes. It shifts between wonder and the melancholy of inevitable loss, revealing the processes of melting and the illusion of artificial snow. Through wide, static shots and spectacular drone footage, the film captures the unique textures and patterns of snow and ice – experts note that no two snowflakes are alike. The film oscillates between admiration and melancholy, portraying the inevitable disappearance of this world and human experiences within it. The director envisions these images as a “memory of the future.” On the surface, the landscapes appear majestic and beautiful, yet beneath this facade, the ice and snow are undergoing inevitable melting. Even the snow cannons on ski slopes serve only to extend this illusion.