Chavala Madlena

Chavala Madlena is known for his work on Youthh Knows No Pain (2009), Frontline (1983) and True North (2018).

Recent Episodes

True North Episode 11: Chasing Light

Hosts: John IadarolaChavala Madlena

What is it like to live where it doesn’t get dark or light for months of the year? And what exactly causes the beautiful phenomenon of the Northern Lights that draws thousands of visitors to the arctic every year? Chavala explores the science and practicalities of the the Midnight Sun and Northern Lights and chases the Aurora with expert Torsten Aslaksen.

16 minutes

True North Episode 14: Don't Mind The Polar Bear Tracks (Part 1)

Hosts: John IadarolaChavala Madlena

Svalbard was established by adventurers - people who weren’t phased by the idea of encountering polar bears or frigid temperatures - and many people today come north to carry on that tradition. John and Chavala venture into the Arctic wilderness with two local guides, Magnus and Harry, to put their survival skills to the test on their own mini polar expedition.

18 minutes

True North Episode 3: Coal Town

Hosts: John IadarolaChavala Madlena

John explores the island’s fossils and coal deposits from its prehistoric past as a tropical forest, and examines the history of mining on Svalbard.

16 minutes

Episode 4: The Big Thaw

Hosts: John IadarolaChavala Madlena

Mark, editor of the local newspaper Ice People, shows Chavala around Longyearyben and uncovers how changes in the climate are impacting the worlds northernmost town.

15 minutes

Episode 5: Arctic Eats

Hosts: John IadarolaChavala Madlena

John explores the Polar Permaculture lab in Svalbard where Ben, an entrepreneur and chef, is trying to make local cuisine more sustainable. Next, John and Chavala head to the world’s farthest north five-star restaurant, Huset, where head chef Filip Gemzell turns the areas limited resources like reindeer, seal and whale into epicurean masterpieces.

17 minutes