How Greenlanders Survive Brutal Winters

Surviving in Greenland's Wild North

I set out on a journey to the high north to meet the Inuit communities that brave the harshest winters in the world. This documentary is my attempt to bring their story to you.

Thank you to everyone in Greenland who spoke with us about their experiences and provided various support as guides and translators during out trip: Qupanuk “Q” Olsen, Mark Mølgaard, Nikolaj Løvstrøm, Arnarissoq Løvstrøm, the Løvstrøm family, Karl “Aakattak” Sandgreen, Paaluk Kreutzmann, and Pauline Jensen.

Thanks to Visit Greenland and Hotel Icefjord for supporting portions of this trip to Greenland.

About:
Johnny Harris is an Emmy-winning independent journalist and contributor to the New York Times. Based in Washington, DC, Harris reports on interesting trends and stories domestically and around the globe, publishing to his audience of over 3.5 million on Youtube. Harris produced and hosted the twice Emmy-nominated series Borders for Vox Media. His visual style blends motion graphics with cinematic videography to create content that explains complex issues in relatable ways.

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[TheLYagAmi]

Crazy how much language gives you an insight into how a culture sees the world. Insanely insightful episode.

[ThatDudeinBlue]

My first time out of country on the way back to the USA I flew over Greenland. It almost had this mythical feeling about it looking at pure uncharted winter wilderness as the pilot said "by the way if you look outside we are over Greenland - not a sight many people see unless they are flying"

All I wondered was "what in the world even goes on down there? But it's beautiful"

Thanks for taking this crazy journey for all of us to see.

[chandramoulisarkar]

The fact that this documentary is free on YouTube it’s unbelievable. This it’s beautiful. Here’s to Johnny who makes YouTube one of the best learning platforms out there.

[benji_h]

as an Inuk (Greenlandic person), you did an AMAZING representation of Greenland and its culture, thank you for sharing our culture and you are welcome to visit Greenland again if you want to!

[JosiasLJ]

As a Danish person I am so grateful for your coverage of this topic, telling stories of the people of Greenland. I teared up a little bit watching this, it was a mix of great sadness because of the violence my ancestors committed against the people of Greenland and joy in seeing them hold on to and fight for their traditions and way of life. It would be great to see a video about the Sami people next!

[runninggirl]

I ran dogs for 20 years in temperatures of -50F. Unlike a snowmachine, I never worried they would "break down" for i knew them, I cared for them and they trusted me. I am an old lady now, but I have never forgotten them.

[islatheremin]

This is your best produced piece so far. It is mindblowing to see such an incredible quality documentary with an unique, parsimonious twist being released for free in youtube. Absolute top marks. You should be proud of yourselves as a team. What an achievement. Bloody well done.🎉

[intheovaloffice]

Johnny transitioning from nuclear energy to the nothernest most reaches of the Earth, all to make his audience more informed. Thanks so much for all you do!

[qua]

This video brought me to tears and even though I’m only watching through a screen, it made me feel so alive and connected to the beauty of humanity and our world. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️

[Dunkskins]

Johnny, you and your team have utterly out done yourselves, what a cinematic masterpiece. A fascinating insight into so many aspects of culture. I can't believe I got to watch this for free. Thanks to you all for this.

[santinoalexanderskowronek]

I have been following Johnny since his Vice days, and I have to say I am blown away, this is his best one yet. What incredible cinematography, fascinating stories, heartworming interactions and chilling music, all well put together by an amazing team led by someone who lives for telling stories.
Thank you for putting this on YouTube for free, one of the best documanteries I have seen in a long while!!!

[lukebulman]

It's interesting, as a resident of Hawaii I see a lot of similarities to Greenlandic culture and Hawaiian culture in the sense of being colonized yet still choosing to harvest and eat from the land. I really applaud Greenland for maintaining their own mother tongue, something here in Hawaii that many people really long to have restored is the majority to be speaking olelo Hawaii ! Awesome video though, thanks for really shedding light on the people and their culture here!

[Xcyiterr]

as someone who grew up in an tropical country, living most of my childhood less than 1000km from the equator, with average temperatures of 25 to 40 celcius year round
the feeling I get from watching and experiencing a place like this beyond just a single static photo is genuinely, truly indescribable
thank you for making this video

[TheStickman]

Wow, it's not often Johnny gets to use as many real life wide cinematic shots. But when they do they are absolutely breathtaking.
This video was shot Absolutely beautifully

[GT-unmj]

This video BLEW me away! I live in Hawaii, and the issues of culture, sustainability, modernization, and colonalization, are so similar. Thank you beyond words for making such a sensitive, compassionate video filled with amazing insight and education for people who have no idea how important supporting indigenous people and their cultures are.

[HeisenbergFam]

Johnny is like GTA protagonist who finished main storyline, side quests and he is just exploring the world living life to the fullest

[liminalstates]

all the panoramic tracking shots overhead and into the horizon coupled with the swelling cinematic score giving us a sense of scale really brings home the majesty of the Arctic onto our screens: continually grateful for your team's thoughtful and aesthetic production values!

[charisma-hornum-fries]

I'm so embarrassed that I hadn't seen this up before. You went to my home country and I didn't know about it. On tge other side I'm so happy you went. You got off the plane in my childhood town of Kangerlussuaq. You deserve to go back and experience the summer in the country 😊

[Xamimus]

This could genuinely end up on prestige TV. Well done Johnny and all his crew (and all the Greenlandic people) for this *masterpiece*

[Treepelt]

Speechless. This will do so much for their culture by showcasing this special place. Thank you Johnny, I’m so grateful we have journalists like you in this world.