Ice Merchants

In the days before refrigeration, people used to harvest ice on mountains and ship it in large blocks or densely packed cases so that it it could be enjoyed in warmer places. Something similar takes place in this Oscar-nominated short animation, which follows a father and son who live in a house clamped to the face of a precipitous cliff, far above their local town. The date of their adventure, however, may be rather more recent. As we know from the thermometer on the outside of the little house, the temperature is rising, which could have dire consequences – and not just for their livelihood.

Hand drawn using just four colours of ink, the film’s simple lines convey a great deal of movement and expression. We see the tenderness between the two protagonists, feel a little shudder of vertigo when looking down off the balcony, and experience the thrill of soaring with them when, laden down with ice, they jump into the void, pulling the cord on their parachute only after some time in freefall. The routine is always the same. They sell the ice, enjoy a little time in the town, and buy new hats to replace the ones which blew off during the descent, before winching their way home. It’s a simple life, but they seem to be happy.

Though the film is only 14 minutes long, it proceeds at a gentle pace, building up through repetition; it’s quiet but pleasant to watch, and it’s only when a crisis emerges that one suddenly realises how close one has become to the characters through this simple process of observation. The emotional journey which commences then is surprisingly powerful. A touch of magical realism provides the perfect ending and seems pertinent in view of the larger theme. We are moving into a world which is increasingly full of unknowns, but perhaps there’s still room for something wonderful.

Ice Merchants may lack the technical sophistication of some of its competitors for the big prize, but it’s a triumph of hard work and prove that more old fashioned methods can still produce something special. The craft here is outstanding and the result is a delight.