For decades, astronomers around the world have searched for stardust in space and the remotest places on earth. Finding stardust amongst us in habited areas is perceived as impossible. But hobby scientist Jon Larsen has not lost heart.

What if the clues to our cosmic origins are hiding in the gutters beneath our feet and on the roofs of our homes? Norwegian jazz musician Jon Larsen has spent more than a decade investigating microscopic particles he believes came from beyond the earth, pursuing an idea that has repeatedly been met with skepticism from the scientific community. Director Elisabeth Rasmussen joins Larsen on his unlikely quest, following his search for evidence that could challenge what we think we know about where we come from.

But Rasmussen’s journey is also personal. As she accompanies Larsen, she traces her own Sámi heritage, connecting his search for stardust with her own search for origins and belonging. As their friendship evolves, the film moves between the vast mysteries of the cosmos and the intimate stories of ancestry, asking how different forms of knowledge might help us understand our place in the world – and what it means to remain curious in the face of doubt.

Planet in Focus is proud to present the North American premiere of We Are Stardust, which premiered at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival. -PLANET IN FOCUS