Fantasia International Film Festival – Though some of its influences are evident, Polaris is unlike any other post-apocalyptic film. Set in 2144 in a subarctic wasteland, the film follows a young girl, Sumi (Viva Lee), raised by a polar bear. While there are shades here of The Wizard of Oz, though a much, much darker version, and Mad Max, Polaris is really its own strange fairytale, complete with its own language.

Writer/director Kirsten Carthew’s film opens with Sumi and her polar bear buddy frolicking in the snow and rubbing against each other. It’s clear the fuzzy friend is Sumi’s only real family member. Not much human life survived the apocalypse. Snow piles upon dead cars and even a plane later in the film. The few remaining humans don’t seem to care. Immediately after this heartwarming opening, Sumi encounters a Mad Max-type gang of warriors who shoot flaming arrows and zip around on snowmobiles adorned with antlers and spikes. They kill for no apparent reason and threaten the young girl.

Fierce and determined, Sumi escapes their clutches and befriends the elderly, harmonica-playing Dee (Muriel Dutil), who provides food and shelter. However, Dee is killed by the vicious gang, leaving Sumi on her own once again, until she befriends Frozen Girl (Khamisa Wilsher).  Here’s where some of The Wizard of Oz parallels are most evident. Sumi needs an eye, and Frozen Girl needs a heart. They’re a duo of misfits who desperately seek a home, and by knocking her gloved hands together, Sumi locates her own yellow brick road of sorts, a huge purple star that provides guidance and direction.

This film is really carried by the stellar physical performance of a 13-year-old. Lee’s character only grunts, growls, and screams. However, she can communicate with wildlife, including the trees. She has a deep connection to the land. The language contained in the film was crafted solely for this feature. There are no subtitles, so visual clues, especially physical movement and facial expressions serve to fill in some of the gaps. The use of the made-up language, or lack of it, is fascinating, but it does stunt the narrative at times and limits character backstory, especially Dee and Frozen Girl’s. That said, it’s clear Lee really gave her all to this performance, especially physically. She should have a promising career in front of her.

The pacing here is fast, and the 90 minutes whizz by like one of the horned snowmobiles. Everything constantly zooms forward, sometimes to the behest of plot and story. This all leads to an ending that while beautiful, is also a bit befuddling. That said, there are more pros here than cons, not only the performances but also David Schuurman’s gorgeous cinematography. The sweeping, snowy landscapes truly feel immersive. This is a gorgeous film that deserves to be seen on a big screen, especially for its visual and sound design.

Polaris is a mighty ambitious project, an all-female dystopian film with its own language. Though there could have been more meat to the story, there are some jaw-dropping performances and visuals that shine bright. This is one incredibly unique and earnest feature with authentic human moments set against a frigid backdrop.

7.5 Out of 10