Cactus, Love, Mountains:
A Psychedelic Journey with Huachuma

A journalist, a 16-year-old girl, and a shaman journey with a sacred psychedelic cactus in the Andes - seeking healing, connection, and truth

For thousands of years, the inhabitants of the Andes connected to their ancestors, the elements of nature and themselves, through the psychedelic cactus "huachuma" (or in its western name "San Pedro"), which is considered a healing plant for the body and especially for the soul, and was nicknamed "Grandfather" due to its masculine qualities.

In a three-day journey, in the "Sacred Valley" in Peru, we met, I, Kaitz Brebner, a careerist journalist from Israel - who came looking for a piece of peace, a 16-year-old girl who came with her parents to strengthen the bond in my family, and a young Peruvian woman who was looking for male energy and grounded in life, together with the shaman Gando, the cactus and its wonderful abilities in its traditional homeland. Between breathtaking landscapes and green peaks, each of us got to know ourselves, and changed our lives.

The "huachuma", which is part of the indigenous culture, is sold in the markets along with other medicinal plants and is given a status of honor - showing a different attitude to mind-altering substances, which were condemned in the Western world and classified as dangerous "drugs", until the last decade when their healing abilities were rediscovered. The cactus extract is drunk in a special and reverent ceremony with the intention of bringing healing to our lives, unlike the way in which they consume second-consciousness in the Western world, at parties without the right intention. The cactus and the magical experience it evokes in the participants, has a tremendous potential to reconnect us, the people of the West, to the nature from which we came and to understand the destruction I am wreaking on the planet.

Mission Statement:
By Director Kaitz brebner

I shot the film "Cactus, Love, Mountains" as part of a year-long journey in South America, on which I embarked on in the midst of the Corona pandemic, after I got out of a relationship and was in leave of absence from my work - a confused period in which I was looking for direction and a renewed connection to myself.

During the journey in South America I participated in many ceremonies and retreats, some of which I documented. This is how if idea for the film has come to life and i decided to make a documentary about a journeys conducted by the shaman Gendo Huzan. At first I thought of photographing a few memories of the trip, but as I talked with Gendo and understood the deep essence that people experience in his travels, as well as when I went for a walk in the mountains and saw the amazing views of the "Holy Valley" - I realized that I have a great longing for an exciting documentary film here.

The potential in the film is great and important, in my eyes, in the absence of tradition, in the West, subliminal materials are consumed in a way that is not always responsible and considered, at various nature parties or social events, and many times, they create an unsafe and even harmful experience. We have a lot to learn from the respect and manner in which mind-altering medicines are treated in places where they are widespread, such as South America, they are also real medicines for the body and mind.

Cactus, Love, Mountains - A Psychedelic Journey with Huachuma - Official.jpg

Treatment

For centuries, the people of the Andes have walked in the footsteps of their ancestors, guided by the wisdom of nature and the healing power of plants. Central to their spiritual tradition is the “Huachuma” cactus - known in the West as San Pedro-a plant teacher revered for its ability to open the heart, deepen connection, and foster inner transformation. Nicknamed “Grandfather” for its strong, masculine energy, huachuma is more than a psychedelic; it is a gateway to a deeper relationship with oneself, others, and the world.

"Cactus, Love, Mountains" invites viewers on an intimate, three-day pilgrimage into the Sacred Valley of Peru-a breathtaking landscape of jagged peaks, winding rivers, and ancient wisdom. At the heart of this journey is Gendo, a humble and grounded shaman, who guides a small, diverse group seeking healing, meaning, and connection.

Among them is Kaitz Brebner, an Israeli journalist shaped by years of chasing stories in the world of celebrity culture-red carpets, flashing cameras, and fleeting headlines. Burnt out and disillusioned, Kaitz arrives in Peru searching for something deeper-a sense of peace, an authentic connection to life beyond the noise of modern society. Joining him are a 16-year-old girl traveling with her parents, hoping to mend the fabric of her family, and a young Peruvian woman seeking to heal her wounds and ground herself in a world that often feels unstable.

Together, they drink the bitter, green liquid of the cactus in sacred ceremony, under the watchful eyes of the mountains and the ancestral spirits said to reside within them. As the medicine flows through their veins, memories surface-of pain, of joy, of longings unspoken. Visions arise-sometimes beautiful, sometimes unsettling. And slowly, through tears and laughter, a deeper truth emerges: the healing they seek is not a gift from the cactus, but a rediscovery of what was always within them.

Interwoven with lush cinematography of the Andes-its emerald valleys, mist-shrouded peaks, and the vibrant markets where huachuma is sold alongside medicinal herbs-the film contrasts the reverence of traditional plant ceremonies with the casual, often reckless use of psychedelics in Western culture. While Western societies have criminalized and stigmatized mind-expanding plants, the indigenous peoples of South America honor them as sacred tools for healing and growth.

“Cactus, Love, Mountains” challenges viewers to reconsider their relationship with nature, medicine, and consciousness. It asks: What happens when we strip away the noise of modern life and truly listen? Can a plant teach us how to love-not just others, but ourselves? And in a world teetering on the brink of ecological collapse, can reconnecting with ancient wisdom show us a way forward?

Kaitz’s personal narrative serves as an emotional throughline, revealing the vulnerability of a man who once thrived on external validation, now confronting the void left by a culture obsessed with achievement. As he opens to the medicine and the collective experience, his rigid defenses soften, and a new sense of self begins to blossom-one rooted not in accolades or approval, but in self-acceptance and love.

"Cactus, Love, Mountains" is not just a film about a cactus-it is an invitation to step outside the chaos of the modern world and remember the quiet, ancient truths that have guided humanity for millennia. It is a reminder that healing is not something we find “out there”, but a journey back to the heart, to nature, and to the interconnected web of life.

Cactus, Love, Mountains is not just a film about a cactus-it is an invitation to step outside the chaos of the modern world and remember the quiet, ancient truths that have guided humanity for millennia. It is a reminder that healing is not something we find “out there”, but a journey back to the heart, to nature, and to the interconnected web of life.

“Cactus, Love, Mountains: A Psychedelic Journey with Huachuma” has been recognized by some of the most prestigious and inspiring film festivals worldwide. The film was officially selected and nominated at the Cannes World Film Festival, Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival, Athens International Digital Film Festival (AIDFF), Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards & Festival, American Golden Picture International Film Festival, and many others. These nominations reflect the film’s ability to resonate with global audiences and its impact as a cinematic exploration of healing, nature, and consciousness.

In addition to these international achievements, the film has been featured in innovative platforms like the Cusco WebFest, Golden Lion International Film Festival (GLIFF), Singapore Asian Film Festival, and Lift-Off First-Time Filmmaker Sessions. These festivals highlight the film’s unique blend of visual storytelling, spiritual inquiry, and deep emotional resonance. The recognition across such diverse festivals demonstrates the film’s universal appeal and its power to open hearts across cultures.

Kaitz Brebner - Cactus, Love, Mountains - kinneret film festival.jpg

In Israel, Cactus, Love, Mountains has also found a welcoming audience, with screenings at leading film festivals including the Kinneret Film Festival, Man and Nature Film Festival, Near Nazareth Festival, Kfar Saba Film Festival, and the Mitzpe Ramon Film Festival. These local events have provided a platform for Israeli audiences to engage with the film’s themes of healing, connection, and the search for meaning in a fast-paced, modern world. The film’s presence in these festivals has sparked conversations around the use of plant medicines, traditional healing practices, and the importance of reconnecting with nature.

The festival journey of Cactus, Love, Mountains - from major international stages to intimate local gatherings - underscores the film’s message: that healing is a universal quest, and the ancient wisdom of plants like huachuma has the power to guide us back to ourselves. Through its powerful storytelling, breathtaking landscapes, and raw human emotion, the film serves as a bridge between cultures, traditions, and ways of knowing, inviting audiences everywhere to open their hearts and rediscover the beauty of the world around them.

Cactus, Love, Mountains: A Psychedelic Journey with Huachuma has garnered attention from critic Vlad A.G, who published a review on the official website of the Short Stop International Film Festival:

"Cactus, Love, Mountains: A Psychedelic Journey with Huachuma" is a documentary film that tackles one very important aspect of the self: self-love.

In today's world, there is a prevalent issue concerning this aspect of life, where people tend to diminish their self-love while directing their energies towards others and engaging in stressful tasks that often do more harm than good.

During this transformative journey involving a magical liquid known as Huachuma, all participants in the ritual experience a profound connection with both themselves and the universe they inhabit.

Kai (Kaitz) Ilya Brebner's short film follows a spiritual journey and, through this, goes into a very immersive spectrum of life. The camera follows the participants, and it becomes one with them at some point. The set-up is dreamy, and having the chance to get the silence that can trigger the depths of the heart is breathtaking. The production of this short documentary is impressive, offering the viewer not just a glimpse into the life of the psychedelic journey, but instead, it triggers an unknown pleasure of finding the silence within.

Every narrative in this film begins at a common juncture: the encounter with a stranger in the mirror. It's that pivotal moment when you look at your reflection and no longer recognize the person staring back at you. It occurs more frequently than anticipated, and we often find ourselves unsure of how to respond. Kai (Kaitz) Ilya Brebner's short film provides a potential answer to the profound question of 'Who am I?' by embarking on a spiritual journey capable of transforming one's life and uncertainties. There remains an abundance of aspects we are yet to comprehend about ourselves, with numerous avenues available for exploration. Through this film, viewers can delve into the depths of their souls and embark on a path of self-discovery.