This is a fascinating movie about one of the most important films to never get made. (If you think that’s hyperbole, you learn at the end that it probably isn’t.)

Though a lot of the bullshit about the film being an new leap forward in film art would be kind of hard to take – especially most of what Stanley and Winding Refn spout – most of the people involved in the film are so earnest about their enthusiasm for the picture, it’s hard not to get caught up. And, regardless of what you might think of Jodorowsky’s actually completed films – of which I have only seen one, I must say – the team he assembled for this is quite impressive. It’s easy to see how you could get carried away, like we often do, with fascination about the what ifs. Jodorowsky himself appears to have the healthiest attitude about this whole thing, seeing it as a launching pad for more of his own work, and the successful film careers of people he brought into the project and, frankly, that’s just great.

I would seek out this movie if you are into sci fi, movie production – rarely have I seen a compelling feature film that does such a good job documenting the early stages of film creation – Jodorowsky, or even just kooky artists. Just fascinating (and entertaining) stuff.

PS After listening to Jodorowsky talk for an hour and a half, I get why so many people were convinced by him. He is one charismatic dude.

8/10

• Directed by Frank Pavich
• Produced by Frank Pavich, Stephen Scarlata, Travis Stevens
• Starring
  • Alejandro Jodorowsky
  • Michel Seydoux
  • H. R. Giger
  • Chris Foss
  • Nicolas Winding Refn
  • Amanda Lear
  • Richard Stanley
• Music by Kurt Stenzel
• Cinematography by David Cavallo
• Edited by Paul Docherty, Alex Ricciardi
• Production companies: City Film, Snowfort Pictures
• Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics
• Release date: May 18, 2013
• Running time: 90 minutes
• Country: United States, France
• Language: English, French, German, Spanish
• Box office: $647,280