El Topo
Here is a movie that has the backing of many, directors, famous musicians and comedians.. Inspiration behind Genesis album The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, El Topo has been acclaimed by many including The Mighty Boosh and David Lynch. Truly kicking off the midnight movie phenomenon and setting off a wave of cult movies, this heavy movie is still powerful today. Without John Lennon and the Beatles on board it would never have received it’s audiences it did. And without El Topo, we would never have received such beautiful striking and brutal imagery, even if it is just a bit surreal.
El Topo, set in four parts, tells the story of a Mexican gunfighter who wanders the desert. Alongside his naked son, El Topo (the mole) is a man of justice and death. Avenging a murdered town, defeating four masters, freeing a population of deformed people and slaying a town of cultists, El Topo goes seeking journey’s to complete his own journey. On his path he encounters a numerous amount of characters who will fulfil his quest of discovery. Written, directed and starring Alejandro Jodororsky, this Mexican cult classic is a tantalising piece of violence.
At first glance El Topo is just a host of surreal and weird images designed to make you feel, well, uncomfortable. Deep on the blood and gore, this violent and exploitative piece isn’t easy viewing. At times the movie detours too much into the odd and difficult. Most times it is seemingly insane, like the sun took an acid trip and filmed a Western. The pieces are fragmented; deranged puzzles with a taste for flesh and blood. Leaving your head spinning after first viewing, El Topo is as though a madman concocted a series of “made to make you squirm” images that are full of “concept.” If you don’t like that, if you cannot take a broken mirror story, then you’ll dislike El Topo.
What I urge you to do is sit down and take a breather, and then watch it again because I guarantee you that El Topo’s imagery will have an impact. The story is brilliant for a start; the puzzle pieces only enhance the strong sense of right and wrong when it comes to blood and violence. Although it is steeped in the red stuff, El Topo has morals. In particular, the imagery and the film itself is a beautiful anti war and similarly anti society. If you read up on the connotations El Topo has with the Vietnam war and the implications its themes are belting out, then you’ll feel much more passionately. It is political, full of satire and damnation; for that it is uniquely strong.
El Topo has earned a legion of fans and a legion of hate. Some may call it exploitative and turn away in disgust. Some may call it exploitative and embrace it. Yes, it is made to turn the screws with its sometimes frightening imagery and surrealist values. But it also runs deeper with its meaning. It is a masterpiece, one that you have to ponder and feeling dig deep at. Like a mole, reaching for the sun.
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