Mountains of the Moon: A Cinematic Journey of Art, Music, and Nature by Chris Benchetler
Chris Benchetler, a well-known skier, artist, and filmmaker, has unveiled his latest project, Mountains of the Moon, a captivating action-art film set to the music of the Grateful Dead. Building on the success of his previous work, Fire On The Mountain, Benchetler takes his creative vision to new heights with this immersive experience. Shot predominantly at night using innovative techniques like lasers, animation, and projection mapping, Mountains of the Moon delves into the interconnectedness of sports, life, music, and the natural world.
Narrated by the esteemed mycologist Paul Stamets, the film showcases a star-studded lineup of athletes and artists, including Michelle Parker, Rob Machado, and Carson Storch. Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart delivers an original performance, drumming atop a snow sculpture on Mammoth Mountain in California. Benchetler describes the project as an artistic journey where light serves as his paintbrush and the Earth as his canvas, allowing for the creation of a visually stunning and emotionally resonant piece that transcends language.
At its heart, Mountains of the Moon explores the essence of humanity, symbolized by glowing skeletons that represent our shared energy beneath the surface. Through mesmerizing sequences in various natural landscapes, the film ponders themes of life, death, and the enduring strength of nature. An immersive gallery installation and premiere event will be held in Los Angeles from November 15th to 23rd, in collaboration with Arc’teryx, offering a firsthand look at the creative process behind the film and featuring light-based installations and a recreation of Benchetler's studio.
Mickey Hart emphasizes the film's alignment with the Grateful Dead's ethos of exploration and connection to art, nature, and human expression. The official trailer for Mountains of the Moon was released on October 30th, with a theatrical debut scheduled for November 14th. Audiences can anticipate a global theatrical release and digital availability in early 2026. Experience the magic of Mountains of the Moon and discover a screening near you to immerse yourself in this groundbreaking fusion of art, music, and nature.