Herzog and cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger go to Antarctica to meet people who live and work there, and to capture footage of the continent's unique locations. Herzog's voiceover narration explains that his film will not be a typical Antarctica film about "fluffy penguins", but will explore the dreams of the people and the landscape.

Werner Herzog
as Narrator (voice)

Clive Oppenheimer
as Self - Volcanologist

Scott Rowland
as Self - Transportation Dept

Stefan Pashov
as Self - Philosopher, Forklift Driver

Doug MacAyeal
as Self - Glaciologist

Ryan Andrew Evans
as Self - Filmmaker, Cook

Kevin Emery
as Self - Survival School Instructor

Olav T. Oftedal
as Self - Nutritional Ecologist

Regina Eisert
as Self - Physiologist

David R. Pacheco Jr.
as Self - Journeyman Plumber