In the United States, April explores the Utah desert in a spacesuit with other enthusiasts who dream of taking off towards a better world – Mars. A veteran, Dave has redeveloped a military bunker in which he lives alone. And Rick and Cindy lead an almost normal life together in the underground tunnels of Las Vegas. Whether in the city, the desert or on Mars, Above and Below studies the loneliness and isolation, the dreams and disillusionment of contemporary America.

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Few documentaries have such a formal power. Through lighting, editing and soundtrack, director Nicolas Steiner demonstrates a fabulous sense of mise en scene in Above and Below, filming an existence that is both comic and tragic of Americans who have been more or less intentionally forgotten, who seek to flee the world. Their search is horizontal or vertical, towards an outcome that will eventually not exist. Steiner’s form, which diverges from regular documentaries – that are often more interested in content than style – is perfect for these idealistic dreamers, anarchists, the unaware, who are nonetheless deeply touching and intriguing. Above and Below is a thrilling, mysterious and mesmerizing work, deeply sensitive and human. Nicolas Steiner is a filmmaker to watch out for.