Shifting Baselines

Synopsis

Boca Chica, Texas. Hemmed in by the Gulf of Mexico and the Rio Grande, the village is defined by the rhythmic sound of the waves. But this wild country is in the midst of irreversible change. For the swamps have been drained, the beaches closed and the homes bought out: the shadow looming over the beach is that of a 50-story rocket, being readied for launch into space. 

Directors' Biography

In 2002, Julien Elie directed his first documentary about the death penalty in the USA, followed by a medium-length documentary filmed in East Africa the same year. Shifting Baselines, his latest film, premiered at Vision du réel (Nyon) festival in April 2025 and Hot Docs (Toronto).