Alejandro Jodorowsky Arrives in Los Angeles for Cinematheque Retrospective
May 15, 2024
Alejandro Jodorowsky, the 95-year-old Chilean-born cult filmmaker, is set to arrive in Los Angeles this weekend for a retrospective at the American Cinematheque. His visit marks his first return in over six years.
The retrospective will be held at the historic Egyptian Theatre from Friday through Sunday, featuring sold-out screenings of his iconic films: "El Topo" (1970), "The Holy Mountain" (1973), and "Santa Sangre" (1989).
Cindy Flores, a film programmer for the American Cinematheque, expressed enthusiasm for showcasing Jodorowsky's works, describing them as "surreal, mind-blowing and singular."
During a recent video call from his Paris home, Jodorowsky reflected on his universal identity and dismissed the relevance of physical locations. Despite his age, he remains artistically active. Aside from his film screenings, he will present an exhibit titled “Another World” at Blum Gallery, featuring co-created paintings with his wife, Pascale Montandon-Jodorowsky. He will also host a screening of his 2019 documentary “Psychomagic, a Healing Art,” accompanied by a masterclass on his therapeutic practice.
Jodorowsky has been outside Chile for over 70 years but retains his Chilean accent. His works continue to resonate, favored for their esoteric meanings and visually striking elements. Jodorowsky states that his films endure because "they are true" and created out of a genuine love for art.
Despite financial challenges, he successfully completed recent projects through crowdfunding. His planned autobiographical trilogy's final part will be a book due to funding issues.
Reflecting on contemporary cinema, Jodorowsky criticizes Hollywood, calling it a "prison." He remains skeptical about commercialized adaptations of his works, including the upcoming adaptation of "The Incal" by Taika Waititi.
As he contemplates his legacy, Jodorowsky conveyed his belief in eternal life and expressed optimism about continuing to create and inspire beyond his mortal existence.
Carlos Aguilar is a film writer based in Los Angeles.