Niger, France and Belgium / 2021 / 89mins / Documentary / Environmental / French

From one end of the globe to the other, water is becoming increasingly scarce. For a billion people, access to safe drinking water is almost nonexistent—a crisis with huge consequences. As a result, millions of families spend their lives trying to get access to this basic necessity. Houlaye, 12 years old, lives in a village in Tatis, Niger, and walks several kilometers every day to fetch water. It is abundant during the rainy season, but in short supply during the dry season. However, a source exists just 200 meters below the ground. When Houlaye’s aunt Suri convinces an NGO to build a well in the village, it brings the promise of renewal for those men and women who, unknowingly, had been walking on water all their lives.

Aïssa Maïga

Aïssa Maïga is a French actress born in Dakar, Senegal. She became known for her breakthrough role in Les Poupées russes by Cédril Klapish. Since then, she has played leading roles in Bamako (2006) for which she was nominated for a César Award for Most Promising Actress, L'Age d'homme... maintenant ou jamais! (2007), The Lawyer (2010), The Time for the Fair is Over (2010), Ready for Anything (2013), and He Already Has Your Eyes (2017). Aïssa Maïga is highly involved in NGO work. Among others, she is part of the AMREF, an African NGO dedicated to the training of medical personnel for mother and child care. Above Water is her first film as a director. Learn More