Have you ever wondered where criminals go when they’re on the run? If you thought a majority of them were living abroad, you’ll be surprised to know there is a community of criminals living in a desert in Southern California. Chocolate Mountain Metal offers an intimate look into this community and beautifully captures why people have decided to reside there.
Located in Chocolate Mountain Gunnery Range, which happens to be one of largest active bombing ranges in the U.S, this community has become a safe haven for criminals. With active missiles on sight that can detonate at any moment, this range is off limits to everyone. Since no one wants to enter the range, it has become the perfect place for criminals to live.
Although the missiles keep people out, it …show more content…
There’s a moment when the main character tells the person interviewing him to listen. The sounds they hear are the reason why he moved to the California desert. After he says that, the scene transitions to show a blue sky with sparse clouds and mountains in the background along with birds chirping as some of them fly over the calm lake and others rest on it. This view allows us, for the first time, to understand why the desert has attracted so many visitors. It’s the direct connection to nature and the distance from urban life that draws people in. Every scene after this one, perfectly showed how desolate and dangerous the range was and how its residents have successfully created their own little community.
Chocolate Mountain Metal, which was the official selection at AFI DOCS in 2016, brilliantly highlighted this community and was able to open its audience’s eyes to a world they knew nothing about. With no bias opinions, this film allowed its solo character to be the one who taught us everything about Chocolate Mountain Gunnery Range and the people that call it
Located in Chocolate Mountain Gunnery Range, which happens to be one of largest active bombing ranges in the U.S, this community has become a safe haven for criminals. With active missiles on sight that can detonate at any moment, this range is off limits to everyone. Since no one wants to enter the range, it has become the perfect place for criminals to live.
Although the missiles keep people out, it …show more content…
There’s a moment when the main character tells the person interviewing him to listen. The sounds they hear are the reason why he moved to the California desert. After he says that, the scene transitions to show a blue sky with sparse clouds and mountains in the background along with birds chirping as some of them fly over the calm lake and others rest on it. This view allows us, for the first time, to understand why the desert has attracted so many visitors. It’s the direct connection to nature and the distance from urban life that draws people in. Every scene after this one, perfectly showed how desolate and dangerous the range was and how its residents have successfully created their own little community.
Chocolate Mountain Metal, which was the official selection at AFI DOCS in 2016, brilliantly highlighted this community and was able to open its audience’s eyes to a world they knew nothing about. With no bias opinions, this film allowed its solo character to be the one who taught us everything about Chocolate Mountain Gunnery Range and the people that call it