You Should See Me Now

Documentary

Coming Soon

What happens when invisible kids come together to face something extraordinary? Established in 2013 by Scottish explorer Craig Mathieson, The Polar Academy transforms the lives of vulnerable teenagers through a year of intensive training and a ten-day Arctic expedition.  

Following the class of 2025, You Should See Me Now is narrated by Alex, Amanda, Isla, Jamie, Millie and Oleh on the day of their graduation. Physically attacked every day before school. Displaced by the war in Ukraine and plunged into the unknown. Relentlessly body-shamed. Emerging from experiences of bullying and isolation, these resilient young people reflect on the emotional highs and lows, the setbacks and a new sense of belonging, capturing the afterglow of a transformative experience that will shape the rest of their lives.

Journey alongside them across Greenland’s ice cap as they recall the moments that changed everything. The quiet of a vast landscape capable of calming anxious minds. The singular focus of simply surviving in extreme conditions. The friendships forged in a place where giving up was never an option. Together, they reveal the profound ability of adventure to change the lives of some of society’s most vulnerable. 

Told entirely through their own words and footage, the film captures a profound shift in how these young people see themselves and their futures. As Jamie realises, “it gets better.”

You Should See Me Now is a portrait of resilience and the transformative power of being seen