LOWLAND KIDS follows the story of the last two teenagers living on the once thriving Isle de Jean Charles, LA, their strikingly beautiful ancestral home that is now being swallowed by the sea. Surrounded by lush, crumbling landscapes, Howard & Juliette along with their Uncle Chris, navigate the emotional journey of growing up in a place that is soon to be lost forever. Howard and Juliette share an inextricable bond, which has strengthened after the tragic deaths of their parents. The trio, described as an unbreakable triangle by Howard, are part of the community deemed America’s First Climate Refugees. Along with other indigenous members of their community, they are being offered a new place to call home, as part of the first federally funded mass relocation in the USA. 

 

“We have one foot on land, and one in the water.” so aptly described by Chris, perfectly encapsulates the character journey in the film. As the family makes the complicated decision to build a new life on higher ground at The New Isle, the power of their bond is tested amidst an environment that is rapidly slipping away from under their feet. The score by Katya Mihailova brings a dynamic and evocative blend of elements both organic and melodic that highlight the character journeys.

 

While climate change used to be an abstract concept to them, it has become a very real and dangerous threat to their existence, when Hurricane Ida made landfall in 2021, nearly every home on the island was wiped out, forcing the Brunets to split up to find shelter. 

A visceral film that pits man against nature, this story provides an inside look into the lives of families living on the brink of the climate crisis. The cinematography by Andrea Gavazzi is striking, capturing every moment of beauty and struggle, from the sunset painted bayou to the stark and hollow imagery of newly built homes in The New Isle —each frame brims with movement and style. This debut feature by Sandra Winther is full of the vibrant energy of youth to the introspective moments that invite audiences to experience the universal language of finding our place, purpose & home. 

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World Premiere: CPH: DOX​