This post is an entry for CineTV Contest
I talked previously about Synecdoche, New York is my favorite film of all time. Holy Mountain is a very close second. Any film behind these two films is interchangeable.
Film Synopsis
This film simply doesn't follow a film structure. I can best summarize it as a 100% surreal journey through the world of corruption for a human soul and I know that doesn't do much for anyone reading this. The film is its own experience, almost inaccessible, and requires to be felt before it is understood. I mean, check out the trailer and tell me if you make anything out of it
Luckily for me, this contest is not about the film itself, but rather the visuals of it.
The visuals of The Holy Mountain are like no others. If you believe Stanley Kubrick's 10 million dollar budget 2001: A Space Odyssey was impressive visually, then this one with its 700,000$ should blow your mind.
Purposeful Visuals
The film doesn't just look visually stunning, but every aspect of its visuals is extremely purposeful in serving the film's message of being an actual spiritual journey and actual purification of the soul. It's impossible to describe them without actually showing them.
Each shot of that film had a purpose regardless of how bizarre it looks to anyone who hasn't watched the film. This stems from the philosophy of Alejandro Jodorowsky who directed the film as well as have a part in every aspect of the film, even set design, and the movie's music.
Alejandro Jodorowsky's philosophy is that we are accustomed to reality so, in order to present it in a film, it needs to be exaggerated with a purpose. That's what you will see in The Holy Mountain.
It's a surreal journey for every aspect of society. The facade of appearances. And it's not a film that takes itself too seriously, you're not entering a wormhole of serious imagery. But rather one of the absurdities of our world. And you'd be surprised by how much of it applies now even more than it did back then.
It's Like An Art Gallery
I think that's the best way to describe the visuals in the film. It's like entering an art gallery and looking at all the different paintings the artist has drawn with each painting containing its own story while serving its part in delivering the whole gallery's theme.
Instead of a simple dialogue commentary about people seeking love and acceptance through external appearances you get a shot that shows both the extremes of that line of thinking and pointing the absurdity of it
The film utilizes the visual aspect in its best form. It shows you the world rather than tells you about it. You get to discover the meaning behind everything through imagery. You are introduced to the "rulers" of the world and how they trivialize everything that makes us humans.
That is why you have the head of a cosmetic company who is, by his son's description, deaf, dumb, and blind running the company while consulting a Mannequin of his wife
In Conclusion
The Holy Mountain, in my opinion, is the definition of a "visually stunning" film. It utilizes every aspect of the visual form to the best ability that a film can utilize. Sometimes it's beautiful, sometimes it's ugly, but always visually stunning.
I have never even heard of this film. I feel like I need to look for it though and at least give it a shot.
I'd bet that you will actually enjoy it.
The stills are amazing...
And there are so many more that I couldn't share without having to add the NSFW tag lol!
Very good my friend thanks you for sharing this @amirtheawesome1
Have an amazing weekend !ALIVE 😎
Thank you for your kind words.
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This is the first time I have heard of this film. Very stunning photos from the movie. Thank you for your entry!
It visuals are stunning, sure! This is a good one🤗
Thanks.
One of my most favourite. This film has made such an impact on us. Every scene is a living painting. Εvery scene and a shock to the viewer's senses. The alternation of scenes creates an elusive vortex in our minds. One of the most psychedelic films that, despite the dominant aesthetic result, the lesson emerges there and hits you in the face. Most impressive of all is the closing of the film, where Jodorowski plays with the viewer's mind.
Almost as good as "El Topo".
Great choice. Good luck in the contest
It's too bad I couldn't share the art factory bit without getting NSFWd lol!
Alejandro Jodorowsky is just amazing.
I know. I wanted to write also about other characteristic roles and elements in Jodorowsky's cinematography.
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This movie is on another level. On first watching, most have a what the fuck take on it…or simply stop watching because they can’t make sense of it. This film is better if you just let it wash over you a few times.
Thanks for the reminder of it…. It’s been a long time since i watched it… time for another wash over, see if age and experience brings any new insights into the viewing
It does look visually viewing
Sounds like a very interesting movie. I had never heard of it. Thanks for sharing on ListNerds.