Alejandro Jodorowsky

Utopiales 2011 Alejandro Jodorowsky 16 (cropped)

Alejandro Jodorowsky Prullansky (born 17 February 1929) is a Chilean-French filmmaker, playwright, actor, author, musician, comics writer, and spiritual guru, best known for his avant-garde films. He was born in Tocopilla, Chile, to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. Jodorowsky's work is characterized by its surrealistic and symbolic approach, with an emphasis on mysticism, alchemy, psychoanalysis, and the occult.

Early Life

Alejandro Jodorowsky was born in Tocopilla, a coastal town in the north of Chile, into a family of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. His early exposure to the arts and theater came from his family, particularly his father, who was a merchant and amateur playwright. Jodorowsky moved to Santiago in his late teens, where he became involved in the local theater scene.

Career

Theater

Jodorowsky's career in the arts began in theater. In the 1950s, he moved to Paris, where he studied mime under Étienne Decroux and joined the mime troupe of Marcel Marceau. He later founded his own theater company, the Teatro Mimico, which blended mime with traditional theater and was known for its avant-garde performances.

Film

Jodorowsky's transition to film came in the late 1960s. His first feature film, Fando y Lis (1968), caused a riot at its premiere in Mexico and was subsequently banned. His next films, El Topo (1970) and The Holy Mountain (1973), became classics of the midnight movie circuit, establishing Jodorowsky as a cult film director. These films are noted for their complex symbolism, surreal imagery, and exploration of spiritual and philosophical themes.

In the mid-1970s, Jodorowsky attempted to adapt Frank Herbert's science fiction novel Dune into a film. Despite assembling a remarkable team of artists and actors, the project was ultimately abandoned due to financial and logistical issues. The story of this unmade film is documented in the 2013 film Jodorowsky's Dune.

Comics

In addition to his work in film and theater, Jodorowsky is an accomplished comics writer. He has collaborated with some of the most renowned artists in the field, including Moebius, on the The Incal series, which is considered a masterpiece of graphic storytelling. His comics work spans a variety of genres and themes, often reflecting his interests in mysticism and philosophy.

Spirituality

Jodorowsky has also delved into spirituality and healing. He developed a therapeutic technique called Psychomagic, which uses symbolic acts and rituals to heal psychological wounds. He has written several books on the subject, sharing his insights and experiences in using art and creativity as tools for personal transformation.

Legacy

Alejandro Jodorowsky's influence extends beyond the realms of cinema and theater. His visionary approach to filmmaking, combined with his exploration of spiritual and existential themes, has made him a seminal figure in the world of avant-garde art. His work continues to inspire filmmakers, artists, and seekers of spiritual knowledge.

Filmography

• Fando y Lis (1968)
• El Topo (1970)
• The Holy Mountain (1973)
• Tusk (1980)
• Santa Sangre (1989)
• The Rainbow Thief (1990)
• Endless Poetry (2016)

Bibliography

• Psychomagic: The Transformative Power of Shamanic Psychotherapy (2010)
• The Way of Tarot: The Spiritual Teacher in the Cards (2009)
• Metagenealogy: Self-Discovery through Psychomagic and the Family Tree (2014)