Firstly, the weather conditions. Looking at the map, one realizes that our island is located in close proximity to the South American continent, to Chile in particular. In winter, the temperature hardly goes below -30C, but constant strong winds, snow storms, fogs, glass ice and incredible humidity are all around us.

Second, we have many neighbours. A few stations could boast such a ‘selection’: the Chileans, Chinese, Uruguayans, Koreans and Argentineans overwinter next to us. This is why they’ve been running the Antarctic Olympic Games on this island every year.

Third, our station has the only Antarctic Russian Orthodox Church: The Holy Trinity church, patriarchal metochian of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. It is rightfully the most beautiful construction on the entire sixth continent, made of cedar and larch. So what is overwintering like at the polar station?

For as far the eye can see, everything is covered with snow. There are several houses, a meteorological site, a hospital, a diesel power station, with several paths between them. Basically, this is it. This is where a whole year goes by.

A polar station is a small community model, with its hierarchy, classes and age groups. The crew includes ‘science’ (i.e. the scientific researchers, a meteorologist, a hydrologist and a biologist), and the others who support their activities. There are bosses and subordinates, there are elders and youngsters. There are those who could be the life of the party and those who are more reserved and unsociable. Some of those who are here for the first time find it easy, while some find living here very difficult.

Who are there people? What are they here for?

The Antarctic is a place where the best qualities in a human being are revealed. But at the same time, all the worst things are displayed as if through a magnifying glass. How does a person change is these conditions? What happens to them here? How do their feelings change? Some things you’d have never noticed in a daily routine become so transparent here, as if you gain your sight back. Why do you treat people better and easier? Why do you forgive small shortcomings, and begin to appreciate the most important things about a person? This is what my upcoming film is about.