MVFF47 - RSVP Guide

Up above the clouds, on the highest mountain from the seafloor, a group of women fight to defend the sacred mountain of Mauna Kea from the world’s largest telescope. Filmmaker Jalena Keane-Lee focuses on native Hawaiian families’ efforts to block the installment of the giant instrument on hallowed land in a captivating documentary that interweaves breathtaking images of stunning locations with intimate portraits of colorful people. The fascinating story combines complex courtroom events with intimate moments that capture the ongoing tension between technological progress and historical identity. Despite rollercoaster political encounters, including arrests, the small but mighty community pursues an inspirational grassroots effort to protect culture and tradition. Standing Above the Clouds, the winner of the 2022 DocPitch Industry Award and Hot Docs’ Bill Nemlin Award for Best Social Impact Documentary, illuminates the ongoing struggles of Indigenous people battling to save ancestral lands and preserve an irreplaceable culture.