El topo (1970) a review

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 El Topo the 1970 Mexican acid Western film written, scored, directed by and starring Alejandro Jodorowsky. About a black clad gunmen on a quest for enlightenment.


First there are problematic elements to all of Alejandro Jodorowsky filmography he claims he raped the woman on camera in the film and the crew was so shocked they just kept filming. To me this reads as an old school grind-house shock tactic. Much like how canibal holocaust was accused of being a snuff film and the controversy around it pushed it towards infamy.


 Alejandro Jodorowsky kind of invented both the midnight movie (grind house cinema) and the pretentious student art film as we know it.


A dream like mosaic of ignorant behavior. A nightmare grimour  of cardinal sins. A provocateur studying his audience to inflict actual psychological harm (rember during the time this film was playing most of the audience would have been on acid).


He was a direct influence on Marylin Manson and a lot brand based pre-soundcloud hip hop. Aka Kanye west and other problematic figures. But? What about this film? What about this movie?


…John Lennon said it was his favorite film of all time and got the films distribution locked in. George Harrison was going to star in the holy mountain (the follow up film) until he refused to do a scene where Alejandro Jodorowsky hand washes his anus on camera….


But what about this film? Ok ok hear me out… his stated goal with dune was to simulate a guided trip on acid. El topo is like being tied up in a dark room high on acid while strapping young lads best albums blare through your soul.


I mean it is hard to talk about this film. It is grotesque and slapstick, makes wise points and is intentionally a relentlessly stupid. aspires to be cinematic scripture and yet you cannot watch it without being changed.


The story is man who cheats, murders, and maimes to attain truth… looking for enlightenment. The peace that satori interjects with a wack on the shoulder of those who are dillegent in the practice of zazen… and oh boy does he get a wack on the shoulder.


The mole digs his way the light aspiring to heaven and like Icarus’s wings his sun scorched eyes black with pain never see the light again after staring into the sun.


I think the older I get the more I like the second act but still… the preacher plays russian roulette with his congregation and it killing someone thinks they would lack faith by not pulling the trigger (If I rember it correctly) is pretty grim.


I think is this if you like challenging art that makes you think about your preconceptions of why truth is… by all means I recommend you can see the influence on Stephen king, John Lennon, and david lynch. There is an audience for this movie. Though it is extremely specific and could cause actual harm if you’re not prepared to watch it.


I was scarred by this movie. I saw right around the time my family was cutting me off and I was showing signs of a psychotic break. It taught me a lot but the Bible taught me more. That is a high-standard to compare a grind-house film from 1970 too but  it is what the film aspires too. It is not sacred scripture but dang if ain’t some strange kind of parable on artistic ambition.


A+ 

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