Not Coming to a Theater Near You
What do you think she meant when she said “a huge black monster with giant claws”?
What do you think she meant when she said “a huge black monster with giant claws”?
I made one vital mistake in my approach of this film—I had expectations. Large, unavoidable expectations that could never be fully realized, no matter Jodorowsky’s irrefutable genius. El Topo single-handedly began the midnight-movie phenomenon, was unavailable commercially due to disputes between the film’s director and distributor, and was thereafter relegated to popular bootlegs, supported by what was perhaps the greatest word-of-mouth crusade ever. For more than thirty years it languished in the collections of online venders, made the rounds of independent theatres, and revealed itself at the occasional film festival. (Only one other film—Jerry Lewis’ infamous Auschwitz picture—can claim to be as eminent in its rareness.)
I can’t allege to understand El Topo, nor would I ever want to. To enter the intentions of Jodorowsky is to mine the subconscious of someone overly fascinated by social outcasts—amputees, dwarves—the loss of masculinity through castration (an act almost always followed by suicide), the abstract differences between male and female, the distorted lure of religion, and overt sexuality. It’s a world rendered with unbelievable beauty, yet feels so deeply lost and disturbing.
by Adam Balz | Source: Starz/Anchor Bay DVD
06 Jul 2007 11:13 AM | Submit Comment
