Monday, April 19, 2021

The Holy Mountain

The Holy Mountain is a 1973 surrealist film directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky. This is an astounding film. I found it online here and here.

trailer:


Philosophy in Film says,
film is most effective as a reflection of its anarchistic counter-cultural roots, both in its production and style. It has been noted that LSD played a large part in the conception and development of the project (both for Jodorowsky and his cast), and the film consistently seeks to reject modernist ideologies and narrative forms. Though there is an overt progression to the plot, insofar as it is a rather clear-cut journey towards a particular goal, the film frequently branches off into surreal visions, most notable for their pagan imagery.
Slant Magazine says,
The Holy Mountain is nothing if not exuberant while cartwheeling its way through the cosmos and back through the non sequitur-strewn plains and deserts, towns and cities, ridges and ranges of Mexico. Jodorowsky nearly died twice during the production, one time at the hands of his own lead, stirring one to bestow The Holy Mountain with that oft-overused label of a “passion project.” For even if you don’t totally buy what Jodorowsky is selling, you have to stand in awe of his belief in his intangible product.
Time Out says, "We will not see its like again." Rotten Tomatoes has an audience consensus rating of 89%.

14 comments:

  1. Too out there for me. I think I'll pass

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    1. definitely trippy. The director is 92 and still listed as active professionally on Wikipedia. He tried to adapt Dune in the '70s as a 10-hour feature film. It was going to star Salvador Dalí, Orson Welles, Gloria Swanson, Hervé Villechaize, and Mick Jagger. The soundtrack was to be provided by Pink Floyd.

      He officiated at Marilyn Manson's wedding. What a life!

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  2. I immediately thought of Timothy Leary when I read this review.

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  3. Definitely surrealistic. I think I need a second watch through before I make any comments on it.

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    1. Yes, I think it would reward re-watching.

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  4. Sounds a bit too trippy for me, too. I had enough of nonsensical stuff to watch while you were high in the 60s. Unless you ARE high they are like watching someone else's dreams--or nightmares--LOL!

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    1. I'm gonna hafta appreciate it from a non-LSD place lol

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  5. Nope, this sounds too over the top for me! Have a great day, Valerie

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    1. Maybe it's one of those you-had-to-be-there things... But there's fun to be had watching it.

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  6. Yeah, this might be a little too out there for me, too!

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