Nat Geo Doc 'Time and Water' Chronicles Iceland's Glacial Extinction Through Family Archives

National Geographic's documentary 'Time and Water,' directed by Academy Award-nominated Sara Dosa, follows Icelandic writer Andri Snær Magnason as he confronts the loss of Iceland's glaciers and his grandparents. The film, described as 'polytemporal,' weaves together contemporary footage, official archives, and Magnason's personal films from the past three decades. It premiered at Sundance, SXSW, and CPH:DOX, and hits theaters on May 29, 2026. Cinematographer Pablo Álvarez-Mesa used digital cameras and a Bolex SBM Super16 to match archival aesthetics. The documentary is based on Magnason's 2019 book 'On Time and Water.' It explores the connection between human memory and glacial decay, noting that Okjökull lost its glacier status in 2019 and about 60 small glaciers have vanished in 26 years. By 2100, half of Iceland's remaining glacial volume is projected to be gone. Dosa aims to avoid paralyzing dread or false hope, emphasizing that action is still possible. The film includes an obituary for Okjökull and highlights Magnason's grandparents as pioneering environmentalists.