In 2012, Orion fans shared Lars Ulrich’s passion for all things film at the Hit The Lights Films tent with movies all hand-picked by Lars, each with a special connection to him and/or Metallica. The man himself was on hand to personally introduce every movie playing over the festival weekend and sharing stories about his bond to each.

There was the North American premiere of Mission to Lars, the touching story of one family’s journey that leads to Lars and Metallica. Co-directors William Spicer and James Moore were on hand to introduce the film on Saturday, as well as took questions following the Saturday screening. Lars’ portrayal of filmmaker Joris Ivens in HBO’s Hemingway and Gellhorn, filmed in the San Francisco Bay Area, was also featured.

Fans were able to meet Metallica fan and filmmaker Derek Cianfrance before the screening of his film Blue Valentine, Lars’ favorite movie of 2010! Lars’ father Torben Ulrich was also on hand to talk about his film Before The Wall: Body & Being, featuring a soundtrack of unusual sounds all assembled by Lars. Lars was on hand personally introducing every movie playing over the festival weekend and shared stories about his bond to each film and his love of movies.