ENDLESS POETRY (POESIA SIN FIN)

ENDLESS POETRY (POESIA SIN FIN)

A great movie reveals more of itself every time you watch it and no matter how many times you watch it, it is amazing. The directing, the acting, the writing, the visuals, the music, the sound, and [if applicable] the choreography all meld together - layer upon layer - to create movie magic.

Over the years there have been many good films and many memorable films but very few great films. Good films inspire you; memorable films transport you; great films transform you. The Chilean director Alejandro Jodorowsky is best known for his fantasy films and for a very detailed conceptualization of Frank Herbert's "Dune". His concept followed the book to a tee and enlisted Salvador Dali, Pink Floyd, Orsen Wells and several visual artists. The project was killed when the financiers backed out because of the high cost and David Lynch's Reader's Digest version was product instead nearly a decade later.

The concepts and ideas from Jodorowsky's Dune have lived in other films including "Star Wars" and "Alien", but Jodorowsky has mostly been limited to small creative midnight movies. His last film, "The Dance of Reality" was autobiographical but quickly forgotten. But his latest film, "Endless Poetry", is loosely based on his early years in Chile and transformation to an artist and is one of those great films we wait for.

Alejandro cast his son Adan as a younger self, raised by a draconian shopkeeper father (Brontis Jodorowsky) and naive but musically inclined mother (Pamela Flores). His father is a hardcore capitalist who has zero tolerance for anything other than making money.

After finding a book of poems left by a couple of thieves who his father dealt with severely, young Alejandro decides that he wants to become a poet instead of a doctor - as his family wishes. After a big blowout which leads Alejandro to sever his ties with his family by cutting down the family tree, he embarks on a whimsical journey to find his muse, his purpose and love.

During the quest he encounters fantastic characters, mostly at the Iris Cafe. The journey progresses much as Tarsem Singh's "The Fall" (2006) and Ang Lee's "Life of Pi" (2012) but with tons of references to Federico Felini's "8 1/2" (1963) and "Juliet of the Spirits" (1965).The sexuality and fantastical intimacy has Felini all over it. Layer upon layer upon layer.

Jodorowsky immerses the viewer in a fantasy that will have you watching it again and again to discover every tidbit in every scene. Note the casual references to the Nazi's in South America both small and looming tall and ever-watching.

As with all his films, "Endless Poetry" becomes a family affair with Adan also composing the very appropriate music. Behind the camera is Chris Doyle whose knack with nudes and intimacy is unparalleled.

"Endless Poetry" ("Poesia sin fin") is one of those great films that may fly under the radar for many because of it's sexual nature but is a must see film for any cinephile. -- GEOFF BURTON

GEOFF BURTON

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