Synopsis
A poetic portrait of contemporary wildlife conservation, Just Above the Surface of the Earth (For a Coming Extinction) reflects on empathy, agency, and the role of hope in the midst of a sixth mass extinction. This debut nonfiction feature examines scientists and citizen scientists who conduct surveys of frogs, which serve as an indicator species; study sea stars threatened by disease; track bats whose populations have been decimated by white-nose syndrome; and collect data on insects declining at unprecedented rates.
A word from Tënk
We are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis. In this context, how can individuals make a difference? In this immersive film, filmmaker Marianna Milhorat takes us into the field across the United States, alongside people who document the species around them. Whether it's amphibians, bats, sea stars, or moths, naturalists seek them out to observe, listen to, or photograph them. Through a citizen science approach—where anyone can contribute to scientific projects—the protagonists share their passion for the natural world, whose fragility is ever-present. Beyond the valuable data collected, engaging in biodiversity documentation also serves as a way to strengthen the connection between nature and ourselves. Milhorat’s documentary offers a poetic perspective on a scientific endeavor. It’s an invitation to put on our boots and headlamps, step outside, awaken our senses, and observe the life around us.
André-Philippe Drapeau Picard
Entomologist
