The film follows two teenagers and their uncle—on Louisiana’s rapidly disappearing Isle de Jean Charles. They face an uncertain future as the U.S. government makes an unprecedented effort to resettle their entire community before the island succumbs to the sea.
Production Companies: A Protozoa Production, A Real Lava Production, A Misfits Entertainment & Passion Pictures Production, An MBK Production
In Association With: Minderoo Pictures, Evoke Media, RandomGood Films
Directed by: Sandra Winther
Produced by: William Crouse, Lauren Avinoam, Darren Aronofsky, Sigrid Jonsson Dyekjær, Lizzie Gillett, Brendan Naylor
Executive Producers: Pierre Branco, Ari Handel, Alice Aedy, Sabrina Merage Naim, Jamie Newton, Douglas Choi, Martina Bassenger, Marc Smit, Paul Wiegard, Randy Gebhardt, Christopher Gebhardt
Director of Photography: Andrea Gavazzi
Editor: Eva Dubovoy, Per K. Kirkegaard
Music: Katya Mihailova
Sound Design: Andrew Tracy, Hayley Livingston
Color: Stephanie Park, Mikey Rossiter
“A lyrical, luminous portrait of lives on the periphery”
Screen Daily
“With striking realism, Sandra Winther delivers a powerful and timely film that documents the urgency of the climate crisis.”
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.
Sandra Winther is a Danish film director based in New York. Focused on capturing the stories and pulse of vibrant youth culture and climate-focused issues, her work combines intimacy and lyricism in a striking vision. Aside from the success of her documentaries “Lowland Kids” (SXSW, 2019) and “A New Wave” (New York Times Op-Doc, 2024), other accomplishments include ‘Filmmaker of the Future’ Award at the Rhode Island Film Festival (2019) and the Nowness Award for Breakthrough Artists for Cultural Excellence in Film and Video (2020).
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