Film Review: THROUGH THIN ICE
by Karen Pecota

Gabrielle Kardon and Arthur Veenema, USA 2024

Kardon and Veenema, both immersed in the world of science, team up to present a short narrative, based on true events, exploring the consequences of our choices in THROUGH THIN ICE. A remarkable story shared by using interviews, animation and footage of the Great Salt Lake where the story takes place. Kardon faced a tragic circumstance that proved to be life altering. She reflects on the consequences of her choices then and now.

Kardon is a professor and scientist at the University of Utah. Evident when in conversation with Kardon is her enthusiasm for scientific research in the department of human genetics—specifically, the study of how the muscle develops and regenerates. One can see that she is a born educator desirous of sharing her findings with the world, she often uses her writing skills about films for “Science Magazine.”

Veenema is a Utah-based director and producer best known for his sci-fi films and science communication video content. Featured by the Utah Film Commission and a recipient of the Next Level Grant Program, Veenema holds several acknowledgements in the film world. He currently works as the multimedia lead at ARUP Laboratories at the University of Utah.

This scientific duo uses Kardon’s personal experience, shared in THOUGH THIN ICE, to analyze the thought process of the choices one makes when put in a desperate circumstance.

Kardon says, “As a scientist, my days are filled with carefully planned and analyzed experiments.” A natural deduction would be that making rational decisions was in her wheelhouse. However, on one wintery cold evening, while she and her husband, Mark were walking their dog, Archie, she recalls, “All my rational thinking was overturned.”

A section of the Great Salt Lake that evening was frozen. Archie playfully ventured off leash out on the ice and fell into the freezing water. Kardon’s protective instinct kicked in and without thinking, she immediately ran to fetch him only to realize the ice underneath her feet was too thin for her weight. She fell in waist deep. The two were yards apart and in danger of hypothermia.

Just overhead, a professional paraglider, Dom Clarke, was flying a paramotor with a paid customer and saw the two in danger. Like an angel out of nowhere, a rescue attempt began following true heroism beyond comprehension.

Kardon, Archie, and Clarke narrowly escape death and reflect on risks, decisions, and the role of chance.