Underland: Aesthetically pleasing adventures below your feet
A tale of two Roberts, Macfarlane and Petit, Underland is Robert Petit’s new documentary based on Robert Macfarlane's book of the same name and produced by Darren Aronofsky. The book acts as a deep dive into the hidden spaces beneath our feet, a meditation on humanity via the underground. The film attempts to do the same as we take a more focused look at three individuals and their relationship to the subterranean.
Mexican archaeologist Fátima Tec Pool takes us through a cenote in the Yucatan peninsula, a huge labyrinthine sinkhole that was revered by the ancient Mayan people and seen as an entrance to the underworld. This is juxtaposed by the squeaky-clean, super bright facility located at the bottom of a mine shaft in Canada, where we meet theoretical physicist Mariangela Lisanti. The labs’ location is a necessity in her study of dark matter, the layers of earth above protecting the scientific equipment from atmospheric interference. Our third and final denizen of the depths, Bradley Garrett, explores the storm drains under Las Vegas, documenting evidence of the individuals forced underground in a bid to find shelter.
As we jump between stories, the film is further split into six chapters that form its narrative arc. These are intersected with narration by Sandra Hüller, who recites eerie prose over arresting images of mycorrhizal-esque roots spreading through the darkness. The film is effective at cultivating an atmosphere, in part due to the beautiful cinematography by Ruben Woodin Dechamps. This is one area in which the documentary outdoes itself; it looks stunning. The Yucatan Cenote, as it is depicted at the start of the film, is particularly breathtaking. You really feel as if you are descending into something mystical. The potency of the caves to the Mayan people felt tangible. The film was aesthetically a cinematic experience, and it made me feel incredibly lucky I had the opportunity to see it in the cinema.
Macfarlane is a favourite author of mine, and I wondered how this documentary would compare. The three experts depicted and their three interweaving stories come together for a succinct package: Fátima Tec Pool searching for ancient handprints on cave walls, Bradley Garrett photographing people forced underground, and Mariangela Lisanti looking for dark matter; our past, present and future. The stories were fascinating and the characters that we met, compelling, however it feels like a mere glimpse into a mysterious and intriguing world. As you hope to feel with all documentaries, I left the cinema with more knowledge than when I entered; however, I was left wanting more, and it felt like the experience left me with more questions than answers. This felt less like a deep dive into a dark pool and more like dipping my toe in.
Written by Angus Cawood
Underland is out in cinemas now.
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