Tour of the Arctic (1/2) – from Svalbard to Siberia

Two film crews embark on a breathtaking journey through the Arctic Circle, exploring one of the most fascinating and threatened regions on our planet. This extraordinary two-part documentary takes viewers to the heart of the Northern wilderness, where stunning natural wonders collide with rapidly changing ecosystems due to global warming.

Part one of the documentary introduces viewers to Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, where they witness one of nature’s most spectacular displays—the northern lights—while confronting the consequences of Arctic sea ice retreat. As fragile ecosystems come under increasing strain from tourism and fishing, the region becomes the frontline for a delicate balancing act between preservation and economic exploitation. In the gas-rich Yamal Peninsula in Siberia, the Russian company Novatek has built the northernmost industrial facility on the globe, creating tension between nature conservation and the powerful interests of resource exploitation. The noise of the unforgiving mosquitoes on the Siberian tundra and the steady dripping of the thawing permafrost on the banks of the Kolyma River are potent reminders of the urgent need to protect the Arctic.