What do we think of Alejandro Jodorowsky here on SF?

[Sesame Seed]

I personally love him. He has achieved a sort of sacredness with "˜El Topo' and "˜The Holy Mountain' that no other film/s has achieved. His are films with a lyrical collection of philosophies, religions, beliefs, ideas etc. He also comes across as an extremely intelligent man with something to say in so many different ways. His version of family constellation therapy, the tarot readings, his writing - are all interesting artistic endeavors. Does anyone else here echo these sentiments? Anyone strongly dislike him and/or his films?

 

[LabelKing]

I love the aesthetic nature of those films. They have a kind of late Fellini pagaentry to them.

 

[Modernist]

I haven't seen any of his films, but I love his comics. One of the best writers, and he has collaborated with some of the best international artists.

 

[Sesame Seed]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

They have a kind of late Fellini pagaentry to them.
well put.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by Sesame Seed

well put.

The grotesque elegance is beautiful. I loved those religious-symbol shaped guns in The Holy Mountain.

 

[mps23]

the imagery of his films are beautifully artistic and surreal, but sometimes his films are a bit too esoteric. i still really enjoy his films every once in a while - especially el topo.

 

[Full Canvas]

For the most part, Jodorowsky flies under the SF radar. He was mentioned once or twice in the spring 2008 cinema thread and prior to that the only mention I recall was my brief 2006 nod to El Topo http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...9&postcount=60. I remember watching El Topo at La Jolla's long-gone art cinema, Unicorn Theater, upon its release in 1971.

Otherwise I've only seen Tusk and Santa Sangre. The Tusk story of a girl having some sort of common final point in life with an elephant was novel. The blood aspect of Santa Sangre was a little overwhelming for me.

For me there is point in films where some filmmakers are not as accessible as I would like. Jodorowsky's work is on the far side of that point. The more his imagination soars into the realm of teaching by poking into my unconscious mind, the more confused I become.

Just consider me a little dense when it comes to understanding exactly where he's coming from. Nevertheless, Jodorowsky is right up there with Pasolini when it comes to providing something for me to puzzle over. All together I remain confused by and amused with the three Jodorowsky films I've seen.

___

 

[StylenotFashion]

The one I enjoyed and remember best is "Greasers Palace". The image of Christ in a Zoot Suit is still clear in my mind.

 

[Sesame Seed]

Originally Posted by StylenotFashion

The one I enjoyed and remember best is "Greasers Palace". The image of Christ in a Zoot Suit is still clear in my mind.

That is Downey Snr. Not Jodorowsky. Certain parts feel like a parody of ‘El Topo’.

 

[whodini]

On Baron's "recommendation" I watched "Holy Mountain" a few months ago. I felt like it was banging me on the head with the "strange" and the "perverse" to the point that it was almost unwatchable as much as I wanted to pay attention to the symbolism. I'd see "El Topo" as many seem to have enjoyed it but I'd be afraid to see more of the same.

 

[Sesame Seed]

Originally Posted by whodini

On Baron's "recommendation" I watched "Holy Mountain" a few months ago. I felt like it was banging me on the head with the "strange" and the "perverse" to the point that it was almost unwatchable as much as I wanted to pay attention to the symbolism.

I'd see "El Topo" as many seem to have enjoyed it but I'd be afraid to see more of the same.

I find that "˜The Holy Mountain' distances me as the viewer. I feel much more involved with "˜El Topo'. It is like my own personal cleansing process has taken place during the course of the film. See it.

 

[Zubberah]

Recently saw Fando y Lis (1968), one of his earlier films and it was excellent. All the usual Jodorowsky trademarks and signatures are there but made a strong impression on me. Preferred it to El Topo, Santa sangre, Holy Mountain.

 

[michaeljkrell]

Originally Posted by whodini

I felt like it was banging me on the head with the "strange" and the "perverse" to the point that it was almost unwatchable

I got that just from watching a trailer on youtube...

 

[Sesame Seed]

Originally Posted by Zubberah

Recently saw Fando y Lis (1968), one of his earlier films and it was excellent. All the usual Jodorowsky trademarks and signatures are there but made a strong impression on me. Preferred it to El Topo, Santa sangre, Holy Mountain.

It's a bit of a rework of Fernando Arrabal's play. He is a man that deserves attention. "˜I Will Walk like a Crazy Horse' is the one to see IMO. I've been reading his plays lately.

 

[Get Smart]

I saw Santa Sangre when it was in theatres and always thought Jodorowsky excelled in creating really rich visuals. Great imagery, even if everything else going around it is only so-so. His films are the type that you can cut into a trailer that is so visually intriguing you feel like you need to see the movie.