The Valley Beneath Us explores the intricate, often overlooked mental health struggles faced by Black men in America. The story follows Lee Washington, a young Black man whose outwardly aimless life contrasts sharply with his inner turmoil and unspoken trauma. Through fragmented memories, evocative flashbacks, and moments of sharp humor, the film unravels the psychological and emotional valleys Lee navigates daily.
Lee, an unemployed journalist, is living out of his late father's car in NYC. One day, he receives a letter from his mother, asking him to come home because his little brother has taken a vow of silence. Lee sees this as an opportunity to write a comeback story, only to uncover painful truths about his own childhood trauma once he returns home.
This film is a character study about grief, exploitative journalism, and father-son relationships.