Today, Friday March 19th, is “World Sleep Day.” This is one of the only oddball holidays I’d like to acknowledge not only because it’s an excuse to sleep in a couple of extra minutes, but because it also marks the release of Max Richter’s Sleep on MUBI.

Max Richter is a composer that I’ve admired for years. His beautiful, soulfully constructed compositions have scored the cinematic achievements of Ad Astra, Arrival, and Shutter Island, among others. And now, it’s Max’s turn to step into the spotlight as the star of his own feature film.

Directed by Natalie Johns, Max Richter’s Sleep is an arresting look at the infamous performance of his celebrated eight-hour ambient opus “Sleep” at an open-air concert in Los Angeles. Together with his creative partner Yulia Mahr, the documentary explores the genesis of the complex piece, as well as the relationship that his fans have developed to it after spending the night under the stars while Max and company performed it live.

Max Richter’s Sleep is not only a groundbreaking composition but also a massively overwhelming physical performance. Running eight hours long (his original performance–not the doc) the “Sleep” composition consists of 204 classical movements and was composed in consultation with American neuroscientist David Eagleman, whose input was to scientifically examine the relationship between music and the subconscious mind during sleep.

Natalie Johns precisely documents the strength that it takes to create the perfect calming atmosphere, all the while emphasizing Richter’s mission statement of “stillness and meditation.” As the world seems to be swinging from one disastrous news event to the next, Max Richter’s Sleep aims to unite all who watch in a collective moment of musical reflection. Celebrate “World Sleep Day”–and every day after–with this spell-binding experience.

Distributed by Dogwoof, ‘Max Richter’s Sleep’ is available to stream on MUBI on Friday, March 19, 2021.