Words cannot describe the experience of watching The Holy Mountain, and I’m not entirely sure how I came to learn of its existence - but something compelled me to watch it above the countless films in my pile that have been neglected for so long. Directed by Chilean filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky in 1973, following his cult success on the enigma that was ‘El Topo’, Jodorowosky went on to create what is widely considered his greatest, craziest and most compelling film to date. Set in a South American country, the film follows a man credited only as ‘The Thief’ we follow him as he journeys through a world crammed with villainy with heavy political and religious undertones and statements on human nature. The 'Thief' is beaten and kidnapped before befriending a prostitute and a limbless man. He then travels up a large obelisk in the centre of a city to find what lies within. Other characters are then introduced individually before coming together to journey to the Holy Mountain, though perhaps the Holy Mountain is not all that it is made out to be. The influence this film has had is astronomical, with Kanye West being cited as saying he watched it repeatedly whilst creating ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ and has congratulated Jodorowsky in person.
Sparing no expense at the use of wild animals from tigers to toads, the film was made in a strange time for cinema where there weren't many boundaries, the prime example I use is a scene where a parade of toads is used to detail the Spanish inquisition before subsequently blowing up. The visuals are absolutely mind-blowing and reflect this attitude, things you would never expect to see on screen. One of my favourite segments follows the wanderers as they near the Holy Mountain, and their minds are subjected to their darkest fears and temptations. What follows is a strange display of metaphors from a man being showered in gold - to a man's genitals being removed by a strange crone in a tree covered in slaughtered chickens, though out of context they may sound terrible, with a context they become somewhat more. ‘The Alchemist’, played by Jodoroworsky himself, is the character that links those introduced in the first act and when studying the film after repeated watches becomes far more symbolic of the message being subtly conveyed throughout the entire film. These 8 individuals, all of high stature on their planets, have come to discover the Holy Mountain and intend to become immortal, The Alchemist shows them the way of reaching enlightenment as they journey to the mountain.
Coiled around the film is a soundtrack that at times can be subtle, but at most times is the prime selling point of a scene, it perfectly encapsulates the feelings that the film is conveying and will become a huge driving force in coming back to the Holy Mountain. One of the many things that I respect about this film is Jodorowosky's roles as director, actor, producer and providing the score. This shows a deep and active involvement in every intricate aspect of the film allowing him to have full creative control; something that is not as easily obtained today as can be seen with the likes of ‘Fant4stic’ where Sony limited Josh Trank turning the film into a train-wreck. The Beatles funded almost the entire film; they wanted an active involvement but due to various problems, that reality never came to be. The Holy Mountain definitely appeals to the stoner audience, it is such a placid and calming film, the score soothes you to the core and the visuals will definitely give someone in an altered state of mind a run for their money. Jodorowosky's endeavour to create Dune a few years later is described as one of the most ambitious film projects ever devised, featuring the likes of Orson Welles, Salvador Dali and once again Jodorowsky; his aim to create a film that induced the effects of LSD without taking the drug, unfortunately it never came to be - although a 2014 documentary details the process. Jodorowsky is at the ripe old age of 86 and has recently released The Dance of Reality, though I haven’t yet seen it, it appears to maintain his visual flare and intense hidden meanings that many would call obnoxious and label as style over substance which to an extent is true.
The main selling point of the film is the set, prop and character design. They create a great style that runs throughout the film, that at times can be unnerving as we look at what the world could become; a great example is the planet that conditions children from birth to hate the races that they will one day go to war with. I cannot recommend The Holy Mountain to everyone, I believe it is a masterpiece of cinema that deserves to be seen but you must accept the narrative and the world and let it wash over you, and you will find yourself deeply immersed. By the time the ending comes you will gape in awe at the final monologue, clawing at the remote to futilely piece together what just happened. I implore you to go out into the world and educate yourself on the work of Jodorowsky and you will be ever grateful to me, regardless of whether you like his work, he has a place in the history of cinema.