In the Shadow of the Thaw

LFI: What exactly is the story you wanted to tell with the series?
Török & Pap: Global climate change not only has an economic impact but an enormous impact on culture and lifestyle. The loss of habitat and over-fishing have already greatly affected life in many towns, causing unemployment and drastic changes in traditional ways; like in Narsaq where the population has dropped as young people move elsewhere to find a source of income.

Did you have a political message in mind while shooting for the project?
We just wanted to document their life as it is now, without any political message; but you can not ignore that the world is thirsty for all those mineral riches what have been hidden till now, that will bring companies from across the globe competing over mining rights, and which will probably change the landscape of their homeland forever.

You work as a creative couple. How exactly does the division of labour work? Are there ever any conflicts?
Yes, we are a couple, and we know this is not a usual setup. The main thing is the project and the story as a whole for us; so we do not compete with each other. Photography is a passion for both of us. It is the aim of our lives and creates an even stronger connection between us. In the field we both photograph at the same time, and in the same place. We are two merged element with two cameras, four eyes, one heart, one picture.

This is an excerpt from the interview with Vera Torok and Robert Pap that has appeared in LFI 5/2018.