“Without darkness, we cannot see the light.”
In Mountains of the Moon, world-renowned artist and skier Chris Benchetler explores the unseen connections between sport, life, music, and the living earth—set to the timeless sounds of the Grateful Dead.
Captured almost entirely at night, the film fuses cutting-edge cinematography, lasers, animation, and projection mapping to create a surreal, glowing dreamscape. Viewers travel through ocean, river, and mountain landscapes where some of the world’s greatest athletes, adventurers, and thinkers appear as luminous figures, moving in rhythm with the natural world.
At its core, Mountains of the Moon is a meditation on what makes us human. The glowing skeletons symbolize the light within us all—our shared energy and the truth that unites us beyond the surface. The film contemplates life and death, the resilience of nature, and the threads of humanity that connect us.
Narrated by: Paul Stamets
Mycologist, author, and environmental visionary Paul Stamets lends his voice to the narrative, guiding viewers through the film’s introspective journey. His narration deepens the film’s exploration of the interconnectedness between humans, nature, and the living systems that sustain us.
Featuring
Chris Benchetler, Mickey Hart, Rob Machado, Michelle Parker, Sam Kuch, Elena Hight, Danny Davis, Dennis Ranalter, Alannah Yip, Hamish McArthur, Sam Stroh, Carson Storch, Hannah Bergemann, Ryan Howard, Casey Brown, Peter Benchetler, Tom Balfour, and Kimi Werner
Premiere and Screenings
Join Chris and the Mountains of the Moon team:
- World Premiere + Exhibit: Santa Monica, Los Angeles, November 15–23 → events.arcteryx.com/MOTM
- Theatrical Release: In select theaters from November 14 → chrisbenchetler.com/mount
- Additional Screenings: chrisbenchetler.com/mount
- Get some Bent skis here
