French writer/director/animator Jérémy Clapin‘s first live-action film, Meanwhile on Earth, presented by Metrograph Pictures, is a cinematic gem that defies genre expectations. It’s actually a science-fiction movie for the science-fiction averse. The film blends realism with celestial wonder, crafting a haunting, familiar, and profound alien world.
This intimate film, penned by Clapin, unfolds as a poignant meditation on grief, loss, and the enduring power of human connection. At its heart is Elsa, a twenty-something played with remarkable depth by Megan Northam, a sister adrift in the wake of her astronaut brother’s disappearance. She spends her days caring for older people while sketching those around her, hoping to capture glimpses of the life her brother Franck has missed. Elsa’s sorrow, however, has rendered her invisible to life as she pines for her lost sibling. Northam’s performance is a revelation, her delicate vulnerability gradually morphing into a resilient determination fueled by love and a desperate search for meaning. Her masterful means of conveying the complexity of her anguish anchors the film with raw authenticity.
The film’s visual language is as evocative as its narrative, with cinematography framing earthly moments with meaning and ingenious animated sequences that transport us into the cosmos. These animated interludes, reminiscent of Clapin’s previous I Lost My Body, serve as a gentle bridge between Elsa’s domestic reality and the out-space sensibilities of the movie.
Other than Clapin’s solid writing and animation, Meanwhile on Earth has an eclectic score by composer Dan Levy (who also brought great musical energy to I Lost My Body). The music alternates between intense drama and quiet wonder, underlining the meaning and suspense in the more fantastical science fiction moments — many of which are only experienced by Elsa.
While the film’s pacing is deliberate, its rewards are immense, allowing for a deeper exploration of characters and themes. Meanwhile on Earth achieves a satisfying elegiac balance between showing and telling, providing a cinematic experience that lingers. You’re invited to contemplate the vastness of space while confronting the terrestrial mysteries of the human heart.
We are all seekers on our earth in some form. Take a moment and seek this movie.
By day, Stephan Koplowitz is a director/choreographer and the author of On Site-Methods for Site-Specific Performance Creation. By night, he’s an avid cinephile.