Icarus Balance

A philosophical journey around the Mediterranean, with Daedalus, father of Icarus, as our guide. We visit its waters and beaches, we meet its inhabitants, tourists, migrants and refugees. Filled with stunning images of the beauty and the ugliness, the life and pollution of the Mediterranean.

Icarus and his father Daedalus wanted to escape from the island of Crete, using wings made from feathers and wax. You cannot fly too close to the sea, Daedalus warned Icarus, because that will make your wings humid and heavy. But fly too close to the sun, and your wings will melt.

In Icarus Balance, Daedalus guides us on a journey along the edges of the Mediterranean. Moroccan fishermen take us out to sea. A biologist warns that global warming is threatening marine life. Tourists arrive on a cruise ship by day. A migrant boat is rescued at night. Young men in Tangier tell us why they want to emigrate. A man shows mountains of life jackets, washed ashore on the beach. Migrant workers pick tomatoes for Dutch and German supermarkets, barely earning a living. And in Moria refugee camp, people get sick from a lack of hygiene. Are we keeping our balance? Or are our wings melting?