Planet in Focus

Shedding light on local and global acts of alchemy, As Above, So Below is a deeply personal and thought-provoking reflection on the ephemeral life of material objects. Christman’s intimate documentation of her family’s decision to have her father’s ashes transformed into a memorial diamond frames a larger exploration of the recycling of matter.

The story ranges from Belgium, where precious metals are “mined” from discarded electronics, to New York, where a long-term reclamation project is converting what was once the world’s largest landfill into the city’s second largest public park system. Overturning common conceptions of a disposable culture, this beautifully-composed essay film underscores the vast and unimagined potential lying dormant in our waste.

Jury Award, Ann Arbor Film Festival
Honorable Mention for Documentary Feature, Chicago Underground Film Festival