Watch Below Sea Level

Below Sea Level is a documentary feature film released in 2008, directed by Gianfranco Rosi. The movie explores the lives of homeless people who live in a makeshift community in the desert of California. The film tells the story of these individuals and their daily struggles to survive and the challenges they face in their environment.

The film is set in Slab City, a small squatter community situated in the Salton Sea region of California. Slab City is unique as it does not have government infrastructure or basic amenities such as running water or electricity. It is a place known for its freedom, creativity, and lack of rules - at once both a sanctuary for its inhabitants and a deeply challenging environment in which to survive.

The movie is a visceral and immersive cinematic experience that offers an unflinching look at the harsh realities of life in Slab City. The film is a character study of some of the people who call this place home, including a war veteran, a recovering drug addict, and a young runaway. The director Gianfranco Rosi spent over a year filming and getting to know the people of Slab City.

In the film, we see how the inhabitants of this place survive with minimal resources. We see them use propane gas bottles to cook their meals, and kerosene lamps to light up their makeshift homes. The absence of running water means that they have to use communal showers or collect water from nearby sources, which can sometimes lead to health problems.

Despite the many challenges they face, the people of Slab City have a strong sense of community. They come together to organize music events and art shows, and they support each other through difficult times. The film captures the warmth and camaraderie that exists among the people of Slab City.

The film also explores the wider context of Slab City's creation. We learn that the community has arisen on land that used to be a military base. When the base was decommissioned in the 1990s, the land was left abandoned, and homeless people and squatters began to move in. Without any official ownership or jurisdiction, the inhabitants of Slab City have been able to create their own unique way of life.

The film is beautifully shot and edited, with stunning cinematography that captures the vastness of the desert landscape. The director Gianfranco Rosi uses a mix of intimate close-ups and sweeping shots to capture the essence of Slab City and its inhabitants.

Overall, Below Sea Level is a deeply moving and thought-provoking documentary that offers a powerful insight into the lives of homeless people in the United States. The film shines a light on a community that is often ignored or marginalized, and it challenges our preconceptions about the nature of poverty and homelessness. It is a film that will stay with you long after you've finished watching it.

Below Sea Level is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.