Jodorowsky’s The Holy Mountain is a cinematic labyrinth brimming with symbolism, a surrealist film that defies complete comprehension. Attempting to decipher every layer is a Herculean task, perhaps even one the director himself would shy away from. The film operates on a plane where understanding need not be explicit; it can be a feeling, an intuition. It suggests that one can perceive the world as worthless or see value in the mundane – perception is fluid, and nothing is definitive.
To find solace, the film posits, humanity often resorts to illusion, to relinquishing the self. But unrestrained indulgence ultimately leads to emptiness and suffering. Eastern and Western philosophy whisper similar truths: moderation is key. It is in selflessness, in transcending ego, that true fulfillment can be found – a liberation born from surrender.
Like the characters who burn their money and embrace oblivion, they are forsaking demons, to potentially ascend the Holy Mountain and achieve their desires. The director refrains from dwelling on the summit itself leaving audience for thought and interpreation.
The Illusion of Transcendence
The film doesn’t conclude at the summit – why? Because enlightenment, eternal life, are mirages. Religion becomes an escape from reality, not a genuine path to salvation. The Holy Mountain symbolizes a grand delusion. As the guru unveils, “This is a film! We are only actors!” – a stark revelation.
This is the ultimate enlightenment, all religions are revealed- be it their origin Christian, Taoist, or Buddhist stand on the Holy Mountain clad in finery but empty within. and beg the question: Why do we undertake a journey with so many challanges .
The Holy Mountain symbolizes the illusion and need not reaching it or exist and those who embark on this path stumble into temptation and others perish. Only few who are with firm resolve reach the very end, ultimately is this all forsaken and achieve transcendence, one must remain living.
Embracing the Absurdity of Existence
Life, plain and simple. To be alive is to be mortal- and the film emphasizes that avoiding life or avoiding is absurd. Any form declaring escape is possible, should be perceived as a blatant lie;
The film circles back to the absurdity of the world and is riddled with war, poverty, death and any aspects that come with that world. We must have it all.