Powerful Indeed: TitleStaying true to the original, but with a subtle twist - "Indeed Impressive"
In the chilly expanse of Antarctica, a hidden and ephemeral world beneath the sea ice is about to be brought to light. The documentary "Mighty Indeed," which will be shown in Aotearoa New Zealand from 7th July to 24th August at multiple locations and online from 28th July to 28th August, delves into this captivating realm, where three women scientists from different generations—Dr Natalie Robinson, microbiologist Jacqui Stuart, and veteran sea ice physicist Professor Pat Langhorne—uncover extraordinary tiny creatures within the delicate structures of the ice.
The film, which recently won Best Feature (New Zealand) and Best Director (New Zealand) at Doc Edge Awards 2025, offers a compelling exploration of the harsh conditions and isolation experienced during the expedition. Director Vanessa Wells will be holding Q&A sessions alongside the protagonists to share more about the filmmaking process and the scientific discoveries made during the expedition.
The Q&A sessions will take place at Bridgeway Cinema in Auckland, The Capitol Cinema (Auckland), The Roxy Cinema (Wellington), and Hoyts EntX Cinema (Christchurch). Unfortunately, there will be no Q&A session with the protagonists at Bridgeway Cinema.
This documentary is just one of many recent endeavours showcasing the dedication and diversity of scientists working in Antarctica. For instance, the Schmidt Ocean Institute's 2025 expeditions include research in the Southern Atlantic Ocean near Antarctica, where scientists like Drs. Patricia Esquete and Alexsandr Montelli are mapping the seafloor and studying ecosystems at the ice-sea interface to better understand ice-sheet melt and its climate impacts[1].
A winter science cruise on the RRS Sir David Attenborough has also been conducting research during the Antarctic polar winter, focusing on seabed mapping near glaciers, ocean processes driving glacier melt, and observations of local wildlife like humpback whales and seals[2].
Two graduate students recently completed a field ecological study in Antarctica, focusing on environmental protection and carbon footprint reduction while conducting research. Their work was challenging but provided invaluable education and experience in environmental science[3].
A broader perspective is given in a Cosmos Magazine feature reviewing a year-long timeline of life and research in Antarctica, emphasising Antarctica's global climatic significance, its ocean currents, ice sheets, and why scientific study there is critical to understanding planetary changes[4].
For those interested in learning more about Antarctica and the work of these incredible scientists, Doc Edge offers a wide range of resources under the Antarctica and Working in STEM topics. The articles "Researching in Antarctica," "Collecting data in Antarctica," and "Adventure and innovation on the ice" are available on Doc Edge's website.
For more information and booking, visit the Mighty Indeed event page on Doc Edge's website. Schools can find their specific screening schedule on the Schools In Cinema page on Doc Edge's website. Don't miss this chance to witness the extraordinary world beneath the Antarctic sea ice and the inspiring work of these women scientists.
[1] Retrieved from https://schmidtocean.org/news/schmidt-ocean-institute-announces-2025-expeditions/ [2] Retrieved from https://www.bas.ac.uk/news/rrs-sir-david-attenborough-completes-first-winter-science-cruise-antarctica/ [3] Retrieved from https://www.antarcticanews.org.nz/news/two-graduate-students-complete-field-ecological-study-in-antarctica/ [4] Retrieved from https://cosmosmagazine.com/environment/antarctica-year-in-review/
- The documentary "Mighty Indeed" delves into the field of science, specifically focusing on the health-and-wellness of the Antarctic marine environment.
- The film, which showcases women scientists, particularly offers insights into the fitness-and-exercise routines necessary for such expeditions in harsh conditions.
- Following the documentary, one can explore women's health as related to environmental science, through the articles available on Doc Edge's website, such as "Researching in Antarctica" and "Adventure and innovation on the ice."
- In a broader sense, the documentary underscores the importance of environmental science in understanding planetary changes, thereby connecting it to the larger topic of lifestyle and home-and-garden sustainability.
- Furthermore, the technological advancements in fields like space-and-astronomy could potentially aid in the study of Antarctica, offering new perspectives and solutions for healthier, more sustainable living, including travel considerations and shopping choices.
