Alejandro Jodowrowsky who was already a well-known in the underground, notably gaining worldwide praise after John Lennon and his wife stepped in to bank his films. It is interesting to know that there is one connect for all his classic films and the name Is Rafael Corkidi. He collaborated as the cinematographer for Jodowrowsy films. In the early sixties he was a member of the Nuevo Cine group and began as a photographer in the First Experimental Film Contest with Tajimara (episode of the movie Los Bienamados 1965) by Juan José Gurrola. Later he photographed Gelsen Gas's Anticlímax (1969) and Juan López Moctezuma's La Mansión de la Locura (1973). Coming to his directorial, my favourite is this controversial film which portrays the journey of a messenger who is in search of a woman, who will be the new mother for the Messiah. Along the way, he encounters several historical events or personalities with whom he confronts his search. Among them are the people of Auschwitz, the Ku Klux Klan, Frida Kahlo, ancestor Adam, conqueror Hernando Cortéz, Jesus Christ, politician Emiliano Zapata and others. The film is filled with a lot of symbolism and a very strong visual load, certainly one of the craziest and most ingenious movies ever.
2 Reviews
Surrealism to maximise visual pleasure
rvalera29 December 2003
This great, almost impossible to get flick is a film made by one of the masters of Surrealism: Corkidi -better known by his masterpiece Angeles y Querubines (which I haven't got the pleasure to watch)
Corkidi helped one of the greatest filmmakers alive in the history of cinema, Alejandro Jodorowsky to shoot his films, remarkably, El Topo.
This movie does not centre in one theme only, but in a lot of themes; thankfully not at the same time (Although in a whole it is, after reflecting about it).
So much of what I can remember from this movie: Adam and Eve in paradise, ashamed of themselves and their naked bodies; whilst asking you and everybody else not to be ashamed of; also referring to cultural background and social morale.
Since the beginning of the movie, you'll feel hypnotised by its great photography, extremely well exploited angles and takes, along with beautiful sites.
Loosely, Corkidi refers to Mexican Story and 'era related' themes.
The movie was divided in different parts, so you get the feeling you are reading a visual book, which every chapter was named according what happens next.
He [Corkidi] puts his own personal view to history of Mexico and mixes his personal feelings about Spaniards [who went there and conquered], particularly when Pafnucio goes to talk to Hernan Cortez (which is in a Pig Corral, representing Spain so it seems]).
When you watch this film, you'll also feel that you are actually watching a Modern Opera (Personally I do not like Musicals, but this movie kept me entertained, and must say, this is not a Musical, although, there is a lot of it on it).
Finally I would like to point out that Corkidi wants Mexicans to acknowledge, know and love their country, and compares it with other countries, including USA, whilst presenting a really different and great journey thru time and space. Done with very low budget, but great creativity, this movie gets a 9 out of 10 to me; you wont need to love Surrealism to love this movie.
Corkidi helped one of the greatest filmmakers alive in the history of cinema, Alejandro Jodorowsky to shoot his films, remarkably, El Topo.
This movie does not centre in one theme only, but in a lot of themes; thankfully not at the same time (Although in a whole it is, after reflecting about it).
So much of what I can remember from this movie: Adam and Eve in paradise, ashamed of themselves and their naked bodies; whilst asking you and everybody else not to be ashamed of; also referring to cultural background and social morale.
Since the beginning of the movie, you'll feel hypnotised by its great photography, extremely well exploited angles and takes, along with beautiful sites.
Loosely, Corkidi refers to Mexican Story and 'era related' themes.
The movie was divided in different parts, so you get the feeling you are reading a visual book, which every chapter was named according what happens next.
He [Corkidi] puts his own personal view to history of Mexico and mixes his personal feelings about Spaniards [who went there and conquered], particularly when Pafnucio goes to talk to Hernan Cortez (which is in a Pig Corral, representing Spain so it seems]).
When you watch this film, you'll also feel that you are actually watching a Modern Opera (Personally I do not like Musicals, but this movie kept me entertained, and must say, this is not a Musical, although, there is a lot of it on it).
Finally I would like to point out that Corkidi wants Mexicans to acknowledge, know and love their country, and compares it with other countries, including USA, whilst presenting a really different and great journey thru time and space. Done with very low budget, but great creativity, this movie gets a 9 out of 10 to me; you wont need to love Surrealism to love this movie.
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