El Topo & The Holy Mountain

Jodorowsky Season

My choice of the week should probably be the films of Alejandro Jodorowsky.

El Topo
Director: Alejandro Jodorowsky
Language: Spanish

Beginning with the 1970 Cult Classic "El Topo", championed by John and Yoko at the time of its release, this film established Jodorowsky as the 'King of Midnight Cinema'.

This film has clearly been a big inspiration to many film makers since, in spite of the fact that due to Jodorowsky falling out with his Producer in 1975, the film was unavailable commercially for 30 years (along with the much - loved Jodorowsky film 'The Holy Mountain')

The Holy Mountain
Director: Alejandro Jodorowsky
Language: English

Following "El Topo" can only be "The Holy Mountain", which many regard as Jodorowsky's best film, and possibly also his most influential film. Apparently influenced by absurdist and surrealist theatre, religion and the politics of the time, "The Holy Mountain" follows a spiritual journey based upon the tarot.

The character of the thief introduced to us at the beginning of the film starts his journey as the fool, living in a state of chaos, free from control and wandering aimlessly. Along his journey to enlightenment, he meets an alchemist who teaches him how to make gold from his own shit before introducing the thief to a band of other thieves with the intention of stealing immortality from the enlightened masters on the holy mountain of the title. Ultimately leading to the completion of the cycle of the tarot as the characters become one with the world.

Always keen on images that are unusual and stick in the mind, "The Holy Mountain" doesn't disappoint in this regard with a non-stop barrage of striking imagery.

Also available for the Jodorowsky season (on request) are: Fando Y Lis (1968) and Santa Sangre (1989). I would like to get hold of "The Rainbow Thief" also by Jodorowsky, but haven't sourced a copy yet.

Jodorowsky is currently making a film called "King Shot" part-funded by Marylin Manson and Nick Nolte (who will of course demand roles) due for release next year.