When we think of mountains, we imagine vast, boundless spaces where silence is a constant and invisible companion. But what happens when human-made noise invades these remote places? 

Silences at Altitude was born out of the mountain soundscape, using microphones and people as sensors to explore the fragile balance between nature and human presence. Through sound walks, the collective has guided hundreds of participants—from the Dolomites to Scotland’s Cairngorms—on a journey of active listening to the landscapes around us and to a tranquility that is at risk of disappearing. 

The documentary is a journey through nearly 20 expeditions carried out since 2021: an authentic collection of spatial audio recordings that reveal the contrast between the desire to escape the city and a form of tourism that, often unconsciously, brings urban noise to high altitudes. It is an invitation to pause, to listen, and to imagine a more mindful way of experiencing the mountains. 

Directed by: Andrea Paternolli, Mario Pedron 

Time: 26 minutes

Year: 2024