Bozeman Film Society and The Alex Lowe Foundation are proud to present the Montana Premiere and benefit presentation of “Meru” – Winner of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for Documentary – at the Ellen Theatre on Saturday, August 29th for two screenings: 3PM and 7:30PM. In the high-stakes pursuit of big-wall climbing, the Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru may be the ultimate prize. Sitting 21,000 feet above the sacred Ganges River in Northern India, the mountain’s perversely stacked obstacles make it both a nightmare and an irresistible calling for some of the world’s toughest climbers.

In October 2008, renowned alpinists Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk arrived in India to tackle Meru. Their planned seven-day trip quickly devolved into a 20-day odyssey in sub-zero temperatures with depleting food rations. Within 100 meters of the elusive summit, their journey – like all previous attempts – fell short of the goal. Heartbroken and defeated, the trio returned to their everyday lives, where the siren song of Meru continued to beckon. By September 2011, Anker had convinced his team to reunite and undertake the Shark’s Fin once more, under even more extraordinary circumstances. Meru is the story of that journey, an expedition through nature’s harshest elements and one’s complicated inner demons, and ultimately on to impossible new heights. Directed by E. Chai Vasarhelyi & Jimmy Chin, “Meru” is a unique blend of riveting personal storytelling and jaw-dropping cinematography, expertly recorded by the climbers during their journey and described by Outside Magazine as “The best climbing movie of the year!”

Bozeman residents and chairpersons of the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation (ALCF), Jenni Lowe-Anker and husband, Conrad Anker, will be guest speakers at both events. Proceeds from each screening will benefit the ALCF, dedicated to preserving Alex Lowe’s legacy by providing direction and financial support to sustainable, community-based humanitarian programs designed to help the people who live in remote regions of the world.

See every ice crystal in brilliant 2k resolution! Reserved tickets for both showtimes are $19.95 (plus ticket fees) and available by calling The Ellen box office at 585-5885, online at www.theellentheatre.com or by visiting the Ellen’s box office Wednesday–Saturday between 1 & 3 pm, or two hours before the screening.

Purchase reserved seating tickets online early to print at home or have sent to your smart phone for the best seats and no lines!

BFS Bronze, Cheap Seat & Patron passes are not valid for this special ALCF film benefit.