Prepare to be captivated by a story that intertwines the beauty of nature, the depth of human emotion, and the urgency of our planet’s future. Documentarian Sara Dosa is back at Sundance, and this time, she’s diving into the icy heart of climate change with Time and Water—a film that’s as much about glaciers as it is about the fragile bonds of family and memory. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a film about loss and environmental decay also be a love letter to the extremes of nature? And this is the part most people miss: how do we say goodbye to the things we’re losing, whether it’s a glacier or a way of life?
After her critically acclaimed Fire of Love—a mesmerizing tale of a French scientist couple’s obsession with volcanoes—took Sundance 2022 by storm and earned an Oscar nomination, Dosa returned to a project she had shelved during the pandemic. Reuniting with scientist, poet, and eco-activist Andri Snær Magnason, whom she’d collaborated with on the Icelandic film The Seer and the Unseen (2019), Dosa embarked on a journey that would become Time and Water. Premiering at Sundance 2026, this film is a poignant exploration of Snær Magnason’s intimate family relationships, set against the backdrop of Iceland’s melting glaciers.
Snær Magnason is no ordinary figure—he’s a leading voice in Icelandic environmentalism, a presidential candidate, and a writer whose work spans poetry, science fiction, and journalism. Dosa recalls, ‘Everybody told me, ‘You have to meet Andri.’ His ability to connect the cosmic with the personal is what makes his perspective so compelling.’ It was his article, ‘How do you say goodbye to a glacier?’ that reignited their collaboration. ‘It struck me as a profound question for our times,’ Dosa explains. ‘How do we mourn the losses we’re facing—whether it’s due to climate change, COVID, or other crises? We lack the language and rituals for this kind of grief.’
The film draws heavily from Snær Magnason’s grandparents’ archival footage of Iceland’s glaciers, captured before their disappearance was widely understood. ‘There’s a sense of boundlessness in their images,’ Dosa notes. ‘It’s not just about glaciers; it’s about human memory, planetary memory, and the love that ties it all together.’ In summer 2023, Dosa and her producers, Shane Boris and Elijah Stevens, traveled to Iceland to sift through these archives, eventually securing NatGeo’s backing with a compelling preview.
But here’s the bold question: Can a film about glaciers truly capture the emotional weight of environmental loss? Dosa believes so. Using Snær Magnason’s 2019 book On Time and Water as a guide—though not an adaptation—the team crafted a cinematic companion piece. Snær Magnason narrates the film, sharing writing credits with Dosa and editors Erin Casper and Jocelyn Chaput. Their collaborative process involved constant iterations, with Snær Magnason providing notes and narration throughout.
Filming on glaciers is no small feat, but Dosa’s team was supported by expert glacial guides and Director of Photography Pablo Alvarez Mesa, whose skill in capturing water, fog, and ice in both digital and 16mm formats brought the film’s visuals to life. ‘We were shooting in precarious landscapes, battered by wind and snow,’ Dosa recalls. ‘But Pablo’s work bridged the archival material with the present, creating a dialogue between times.’
The film opens with mysterious blue objects, as Snær Magnason’s voice addresses a future audience, perhaps descendants. ‘It’s a time capsule,’ Dosa explains. ‘He’s saying, ‘We’ll never meet, but I can send you this.’ By the end, Snær Magnason ponders, ‘What will Iceland be in 200 years if there are no glaciers left? Will saying its name summon a ghost?’
This is where the film challenges us: What are we willing to do now to ensure a future with ice in Iceland? Dosa admits the project was emotionally taxing. ‘We’re all grappling with loss,’ she says. ‘Making a film about grief while experiencing it ourselves was challenging, but also deeply meaningful.’
Looking ahead, Dosa is producing several shorts, including an unnamed project with Mexican director Otilia Portillo Padua set for South by Southwest. She’s also developing a film about cyclical earthquakes in Mexico City, exploring themes of geologic time, memory, and colonial legacies. ‘It’s about what emerges from the ruptures,’ she says. ‘Both literal and metaphorical.’
Time and Water premieres at Sundance on January 27 at 11:30 MT at the Library Center Theatre. Don’t miss this thought-provoking exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of nature. But we want to hear from you: Can art truly capture the urgency of climate change? And what role does storytelling play in shaping our response to environmental crises? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that matters.
