The Land Beneath Our Feet

The Land Beneath Our Feet is an impactful and significant film directed by Sarita Siegel and Gregg Mitman that was released in 2016. This documentary film features the exceptional talents of Philomena Bloh Sayeh, Cecil T.O. Brandy, and Miatta Fahnbulleh.

At its core, The Land Beneath Our Feet grapples with complex and often emotional subjects such as land rights, neo-colonialism, corporate geopolitics, and individual survival — all visually narrated within the framework of Liberia’s post-war context. The film effectively integrates historical footage and contemporary interviews to paint a vivid picture of the present realities and past injustices.

The renowned Liberian professionals make appearances in the documentary. Philomena Bloh Sayeh, a prominent Liberian diplomat, and Dr. Cecil T.O. Brandy, former chairman of Liberia's Land Commission, bring a layer of authority and legitimacy to the film. Acclaimed Liberian actress and activist Miatta Fahnbulleh also appear, providing a poignant and compelling voice throughout the narrative.

The Land Beneath Our Feet follows the life history of a young Liberian man, Emmanuel Urey, who was uprooted by civil wars and then returned to his roots with the hope of bringing peaceful change to his country. His story represents the plight of many Liberians who were displaced by wars and are now grappling with the aftermath — the disputes over the land and properties that were left behind.

Emmanuel navigates the challenging landscape of Liberia’s post-war development. Trying to reconcile the urban demands of Monrovia life with the rural reality of his family back home, he grapples with ever-present fears of displacement and loss. The film exemplifies these personal stakes amid narratives of national and global interests, pushing the viewer to consider the depth and intricacy of such social challenges.

The film meticulously explores the history of land rights in Liberia, tracing the relationship between land and power from the establishment of Africa’s first republic, founded by freed American slaves, to the present. The documentary presents a detailed account of how vested global interests and national politics have often intersected to shape Liberia’s land laws, creating a set of rules that, at times, served to dispossess and exploit the nation’s rural majority.

At a time when land grab headlines across the world, in Africa particularly, are becoming more frequent, The Land Beneath Our Feet is a potent exploration of an issue that transcends national borders. The film presents a complex picture of land rights within the broader context of corporate land grabbing, socioeconomic issues, and individual struggles for survival.

The Land Beneath Our Feet does not hold back from tackling head-on the present-day global neoliberal capitalist system, illustrating with clarity and depth how contemporary issues of land acquisition are deeply tied to historical cycles of exploitation and inequality.

The cinematography of the film is visually captivating, and the sequences masterfully intertwine the personal narratives, political tensions, corporate interests, local customs, and national and international concerns, with Liberia's beautiful landscapes as the backdrop.

Above all, the movie is a human story. It unpacks layers of emotion, trauma, resilience, determination, struggle, and survival. Through the young Liberian man’s journey, the viewer is offered an intimate glimpse into the complexities of individuals’ lived experiences within larger historical, political, economic, and social realities.

In its exploration of land rights and neo-colonialism, The Land Beneath Our Feet proves itself more than just a documentary; it emerges as an essential vehicle for dialogue, awareness, enlightenment, and change about an urgent global issue.

From the top-ranking government officials and political activists to the ordinary citizens hoping for a fair share of their country's assets, The Land Beneath Our Feet gives a voice to the myriad individuals and groups affected by international land-grabbing phenomena.

In conclusion, The Land Beneath Our Feet is a thought-provoking film that illuminates the complicated realities of post-war Liberia. It creatively encapsulates the struggles, hopes, and dreams of individuals while exposing the often invisible structures of power related to land, sustainability, and survival in the 21st century.