Synopsis
Alejandro Jodorowsky's surrealist epic follows a Christlike thief and a circle of planetary archetypes climbing a sacred mountain to displace its immortal masters. Its imagery is so dense with symbol that critics have spent fifty years arguing whether it is a profound mystical text or a beautiful joke at our expense.
Why Watch It
Jodorowsky's visionary surrealist masterpiece assaults the senses with grotesque imagery, spiritual symbolism, and unbridled imagination—a fever dream that refuses easy interpretation or comfort. The film demands active engagement from viewers willing to surrender to its anarchic logic and wade through its provocations in search of transcendence. Essential viewing for those seeking cinema that genuinely unsettles and expands the boundaries of what's possible on screen.
Did You Know?
- Shot largely without a finished script as Jodorowsky improvised on the spot.
- John Lennon and Yoko Ono helped finance the production.
- The cast underwent weeks of meditation training before shooting.
- The Tarot informed nearly every visual composition in the film.
- Banned in numerous countries upon initial release.
Iconic Quotes
- "You are excrement. You can change yourself into gold."
- "For three days do not eat or drink water."
- "I came to make money."
- "The infinite is in everything."
- "Real life awaits us."
