In the treacherous, freezing waters of northern Greenland, a motley collection of scientists and artists aboard a restored schooner set out for parts unknown, engaging in equal measures of exploration and whimsy. Along the journey, their encounters run the full spectrum from dramatic to banal, alarming to serene, and are accompanied by an equally wide-ranging soundtrack. An arctic study in contrasts emerges: the physical tension of the ship as it strains against unforgiving ice floes is juxtaposed with freewheeling banter and improvisation. Despite the isolation of the vast and barren surroundings, quarters are close and methodologies clash. Throughout the otherworldly adventure, viewers see images and hear musings that challenge and astound, not least of which are the discovery of a new species and the exploits of a snack-seeking polar bear.  TM