Films That Move

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.

“I first traveled to Isle de Jean Charles in 2018 to document America’s first federally funded climate resettlement,” said Director Sandra Winther. “What I found was a story not just about loss, but resilience – laughter in the face of hardship and the quiet strength of family. Howard and Juliette, along with their uncle Chris, opened their world to me, revealing the joys of life on the bayou and the heartbreak of knowing it won’t last forever.

Their story hit close to home. Growing up in Denmark, I spent my childhood outdoors, much like them, deeply connected to nature – an experience that has shaped all my films, from A New Wave and Ocean on Fire to my narrative projects in development.”