Aeon Video has a monthly newsletter!
Get curated editors’ picks, peeks behind the scenes, film recommendations and more.
Experience the thrills – and major chills – of scaling a frozen waterfall
Nestled just outside Quebec City, the majestic Montmorency Falls reaches heights of some 275 feet – a full 100 feet taller than the Niagara Falls. During the long Canadian winters, cliffs beside the main waterfall freeze over entirely, giving the appearance of cascading water stuck in time. In this short documentary from 1978, two daring climbers (plus a daring film crew) scale the Pilier de Crystal – a massive sheet of ice sitting beside the main waterfall. The result is a thrilling – and extraordinarily chilling – portrait of human skill, athleticism and drive amid an arresting and imposing landscape.
Director: Marc Hébert
Website: National Film Board of Canada
video
Rituals and celebrations
A whale hunt is an act of prayer for an Inuit community north of the Arctic Circle
8 minutes
video
Music
The peculiar beauty of a song caught between composition and improvisation
3 minutes
video
Rituals and celebrations
A beginner’s guide to a joyful Persian tradition of spring renewal and rebirth
3 minutes
video
Love and friendship
Love looks a bit different for a chain-smoking couple in a small apartment
11 minutes
video
Biography and memoir
Passed over as the first Black astronaut, Ed Dwight carved out an impressive second act
13 minutes
video
Engineering
A close-up look at electronic paper reveals its exquisite patterns – and limitations
9 minutes
video
Architecture
West Africa was once an architectural laboratory. Is it time for a revival?
12 minutes
video
Biography and memoir
The unique life philosophy of Abdi, born in Somalia, living in the Netherlands
29 minutes
video
Art
‘If you’re creative, why can’t you create a solution?’ One artist’s imaginative activism
17 minutes