Project Iceman

by

I watched my wife do an Ironman and saw Adonnis-looking men fall to all fours in defeat (in mild-weathered Louisville, KY!).

That’s what’s amazing about “Project Iceman” — Anders Hofman attempts an Ironman… in Antartica!

This is the ultimate “hold my beer” challenge for every endurance athlete alive.

I now rank “Project Iceman” #1 on my list of Best Triathlon Documentaries.

Thanks to fellow Creator Sara Loretta for the tip on this one.

Trailer for “Project Iceman”

Watch “Project Iceman”

You can stream the full documentary here:

You can watch “Project Iceman”

You can find the latest streaming options at https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/project-iceman

Ratings:

  • My Rating: 8/100
  • IMDB Rating: 95/100
  • Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na

Release Date: 2020 (at private screenings); it was put on YouTube on December 20, 2023

My Review of

Anders Hofman is not your average athlete.

At 28, he’s not just trying to finish a triathlon. No, that would be too ordinary.

Hofman decides to tackle a full Ironman triathlon in Antarctica—the world’s coldest, harshest, and most unforgiving continent.

If it sounds crazy, that’s because it is.

We’re talking a 3.8-kilometer swim in ice-cold water, a 180-kilometer bike ride over glaciers, and a full marathon in one of the most brutal environments on Earth.

And that’s exactly what makes Project Iceman, directed by Ammar Kandil in 2023, such a wild doc.

“People will tell you what you can or can not do…without having the foundation of knowing what is posisble.”

Anders Hofman

Creative Fundraising for Project Iceman

Project Iceman was funded through a unique approach involving NFTs after turning down a $1.25 million offer from a major streaming service to maintain creative control.

The fundraising involved launching NFTs in various tiers, such as ‘The World’s Coldest Movie Tickets’ and ‘The Ice Squad,’ among others
3.

The entire project cost approximately $300,000, with more than half of this amount dedicated to the Antarctica expedition

Anders’ Early Years

The film kicks off by giving us a glimpse into Hofman’s past. He wasn’t always this daredevil.

As a kid, he was a ball of energy, full of life, but like many of us, society’s rules and norms began to dampen that spark.

His brother, Anthon, recalls how young Anders used to rock a cap everywhere he went. It was his thing, his way of standing out.

That is, until a teacher took it away, leaving Hofman struggling with his identity—a struggle that clearly fuels his later need to push himself to the extreme.

Training

As the documentary progresses, we see Hofman pull together a small, tight-knit team, including his brother Anthon.

They’re prepping for what might just be the most dangerous challenge of their lives. And they’re up against a lot more than just the cold.

Polar guides—people who know a thing or two about surviving in icy hellscapes—warn them of the many dangers, including hidden crevasses that could swallow them whole and the constant threat of hypothermia.

The nearest hospital isn’t just around the corner; it’s a continent away. If something goes wrong, it’s not just a matter of calling 911—it’s a military rescue mission.

Hofman doesn’t exactly have a frozen tundra in his backyard in Denmark, so he makes do with what he has.

But his early attempts at swimming in near-freezing waters? Let’s just say they don’t go as planned.

He barely lasts a minute in the water, and it’s a brutal wake-up call for what lies ahead.

The cold hits him like a ton of bricks, making it clear that the challenges in Antarctica will be nothing short of brutal.

But Hofman is undeterred, knowing full well what he’s up against and the monumental task that lies ahead.

The Swim

When the team finally touches down in Antarctica, the stakes get real, fast.

Leopard seals—yes, those big, toothy predators—mistake humans in wetsuits for their favorite meal: injured seals.

And then the real madness begins: the swim. Four kilometers in water so cold it can kill you in minutes.

Hofman emerges from the water with numb limbs and frozen feet, but that’s just the start.

The Bike

Next up is the bike ride. Picture it—a 180-kilometer slog over ice, snow, and whatever else the Antarctic terrain can throw at him.

It’s like mental torture on wheels, with Hofman battling not just the physical exhaustion but also the soul-crushing Antarctic wind that never lets up.

The cinematography in Project Iceman is captures the stark beauty of Antarctica in all its icy glory.

The doc makes you feel the isolation, the cold, and the ever-present danger.

And as the hours drag on, Hofman’s mental state begins to crack under the relentless pressure.

There’s a moment where Hofman admits to being “broken,” feeling the weight of the challenge he has taken on. But quitting? Not an option.

His determination is bolstered by the presence of his brother Anthon — he steps in during critical moments to keep Hofman going, reminding him why they’re doing this in the first place.

The Marathon

Then comes the marathon.

In a blizzard. Visibility is so bad they have to rely on GPS just to stay on course.

At one point, they lose radio contact with Hofman, and for a heart-stopping moment, you wonder if this is it.

Has his quest to redefine human potential has gone too far?

But Hofman doesn’t just survive.

He finishes, crossing the finish line (after 72 hours and 54 minutes).

It’s not just a physical victory; it’s a deeply personal one. The kind that leaves you reflecting on your own limits and what you might be capable of if you pushed just a little harder.

By the end of Project Iceman, you’re not just watching Anders Hofman conquer Antarctica—you’re feeling every freezing step, every gasp for air, and every pedal stroke through the icy wilderness.

And when it’s all over, you can’t help but feel a little more willing to push your own boundaries, whatever they might be.

Thanks for reading!

Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc

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