Uncovering the hidden world beneath our feet

Filmmaker Robert Petit's latest documentary, Underland, delves deep into the subterranean realms that lie beneath our everyday lives. Inspired by nature writer Robert Macfarlane's bestselling book of the same name, Petit's poetic film takes viewers on a journey through storm drains in Las Vegas and the ancient caves of the Yucatan.

A world turned upside down

For those who venture into these hidden spaces, the experience can be transformative. Urban explorer Bradley Garrett, featured in the film, associates the pungent smell of Vegas storm drains with a sense of freedom, while Petit himself feels a liberating sense of timelessness in the underground world.

Yet these subterranean realms also hold secrets and dangers. Petit's cinematography captures the thrill and vulnerability of his protagonists as they navigate treacherous passageways and confront the remnants of ancient civilizations.

Through intimate portraits of the people drawn to these hidden worlds, Underland reveals the complex relationships between humans, nature, and the spaces we inhabit. By shining a light on the unknown, Petit's film invites us to reconsider the depths beneath our feet and the profound connections that exist between the surface and the subterranean.