El Topo

What an outrageous film. Is there even a plot to it? Why do they use so much red paint? Was Alejandro Jodorowsky on drugs? I always think strange things of directors who star in the lead role of their film, do the score and produce it. I think it says a lot about them, some good but some bad. Why did he use his own son in it? Also why does he dress the monks up as women and rape them? Does this even class as a western? I'm not sure of the answer to any of these questions. And this film does hurt my head just thinking about it. However it does follow the western tradition of being achingly slow with shots that are outrageously long. The sound effects are beyond strange which does just add to the strangeness of the plot. Why did he feel the need to use so many vertically challenged people and people with missing limbs? And then they all die by the townsfolk? Maybe this inspired the Backwater Gospel. Revelation.

As well as the slow shots this film does follow a three act plot which I did really like. Even though there wasn't a plot it was just a bit weird. I don't know if I would recommend this film, it's very artsy and still baffles people to this day. Until I understand this film I don't know what I'll take from it to apply to my project, I just thought I had to mention it because it blew my mind.