Jalena Keane-Lee’s newest doc is a witness to history, poised at the centre of the global movement to protect Mauna Kea, the famed Hawaiian mountain, as it faces the proposal of having another telescope built on it. Standing Above the Clouds connects to the detrimental environmental and cultural impact telescopes have had on the sacred mountain and on Native Hawaiians. Pua Case and her daughters, Hawane Rios and Kapulei Flores, are joined by Mehana Kihoi and Leina’ala Sleightholm, all of whom put their bodies on the line in protest. In the process, they reveal that, while victory is not assured, the perseverance of a movement and the intergenerational healing of this sisterhood is a vital result. Told through direct-action footage and archival material, this is an inspiring adventure delivered with passion and integrity that offers vital lessons in the art of protest.
