Andrea McKenna • August 3, 2026

Documentary Anza Borrego Sunrise to Sunset Explores a Day of Stillness in the Desert

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Award-Winning Filmmakers Return With Anza Borrego Sunrise to Sunset Documentary

A new documentary is inviting audiences to experience Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in an unconventional way—by slowing down, sitting still, and watching an entire day unfold.


Anza Borrego: Sunrise to Sunset is a 60-minute documentary directed and filmed by award-winning filmmaker Peter Wick. The film follows world traveler Robert Silk, who returns to the desert to spend the day sitting from sunrise to sunset while simply observing the landscape. Wick joins him for part of the experience, documenting the changing light, conversations, and quiet moments that define the day.


Described by its creators as a "video essay," the documentary blends nature, meditation, humor, and endurance while encouraging viewers to see the desert from a different perspective.


The film reunites the creative team behind the award-winning documentary Silk Finds What He's Looking For, with editor Marceline De Angelis returning alongside Wick and Silk.


Following an Award-Winning Documentary


Anza Borrego: Sunrise to Sunset serves as the follow-up to Silk Finds What He's Looking For, which documented Silk's first sunrise-to-sunset sit in Joshua Tree National Park on June 21, 2020.


During that original project, Silk remained seated for 14 hours and 27 minutes, observing the desert as the sun traveled across the sky. The documentary went on to stream on Apple TV and other platforms as part of the FlickFair Festival in 2022 and received recognition from several international film festivals.


Among its honors were:


  • Impact DOCS Award winner
  • Official Selection, Roma Cinema Doc
  • Semi-Finalist for Documentary Directing at Climax Fest in Madrid, Spain (2024)
  • Triple award winner at Alpine Film Fest in Bern, Switzerland (2024), including recognition for editor Marceline De Angelis


The "Sport" of Sitting


Since that first documentary, Silk has continued his unusual pursuit of what he jokingly calls the "sport of sitting."


He has completed all-day sits in locations including Qatar, Palo Duro Canyon in Texas, Antarctica, Wyoming, Nebraska, and western Colorado. His current personal record stands at 14 hours and 39 minutes, set in Bangs Canyon, Colorado.


The unusual project has attracted international attention, with stories appearing in The Telegraph (London), Atlas Obscura, La Repubblica (Italy), and Australia's public broadcasting network.


When asked why he continues these marathon sessions of simply sitting and observing, Silk offers a characteristically simple response:

"Does everything have to have a reason?"


About the Film


Produced by Azzurri Productions, Anza Borrego: Sunrise to Sunset has also received Fiscal Sponsorship from From the Heart Productions and was recognized as one of the organization's Hot Films in the Making. The documentary has also earned recognition from Documentaries Without Borders.


Film Details


  • Title: Anza Borrego: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Runtime: 60 minutes
  • Rating: 13+
  • Director: Peter Wick
  • Written & Produced by: Peter Wick and Robert Silk
  • Editor: Marceline De Angelis
  • Production: Azzurri Productions


The filmmakers are offering the documentary as a free online screening through the WRPN platform.


Watch the film and rate it!

>>> www.wrpn.tv




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