Psychomagic: A Healing Art

Alejandro Jodorowsky!

Not only is the man for all seasons (and then some) still alive, but he's making movies to boot. The filmmaking auteur of one the most divisive pieces of cinematic celluloid is back. 1970's bizarre "El Topo" - is it high art, a masterpiece, self-indulgent pap, overwrought, boring, or just plain silly? - is his calling card, and yet at 91, the eccentric Chilean continues to push the envelope. Might be time to push back.

Not that "Psychomagic" is bad cinema. In it's own quirky way, it has a unique charm: much like those early morning infomercials with wacky characters in stretchy pant suits, peddling variations of snake oil. Clad in various shades of purple, Jodorowsky documents his miraculous miracles, turning sad people into happy souls. Sounds good, no? Trouble is, it often involves body paint, vigorous massage, some groping, public performance, and awkward (except for Europeans) nudity. Comparing his technique to Freud's Psychoanalysis, but using the body instead of the mind, Jodorowsky offers odd solutions to common problems. A man feels unwanted by his family. Well hows about we place their photos on some pumpkins, smash the hell out of 'em, and send the bits to the family? Problem, uh, solved? The gleeful smasher thinks so.

The subjects being filmed get great results, but with a camera in their faces, ya have to wonder how truthful all of this really is. There is a bit of shamanistic spirituality going on here, and hey, if it works, what harm is there? The glean of his ultra white dentured smile is truly hypnotic. Yet there is one unsettling bit involving a woman battling cancer. A theatre full of believers channel feel good energy through their hands. Dealing with depression through some quirky, hands on performance art is one thing, but claiming cancer cure in an evangelical setting is another.

Maybe this broken world is all the better for visionary kooks like Jodorowsky, as long as he sticks to innocuous solutions. His giddy infatuation and hands on, zest for life is certainly undeniable. Voyeurs and curio seekers may enjoy this documentary. Or not.

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Psychomagic is a profoundly powerful documentary for several reasons. First, it's incredibly engaging-each case of illness or trauma presented is unique, keeping you fully immersed. Second, it's deeply human. Jodorowsky is truly on a mission to help people, and those who seek his help are remarkably open and vulnerable. Third, the way he heals them is pure art: rich in creativity, symbolism, and theatricality. These performances, crafted and directed by Jodorowsky, transform into powerful healing experiences for those involved.

What's remarkable is that, in the hands of anyone else, this approach might feel pretentious. But with Jodorowsky, it feels grounded and sincere. Psychomagic seems to work in many cases because symbolism speaks directly to the subconscious. Jodorowsky becomes both therapist and symbolic figure, inventing rituals that gently-sometimes boldly-push people out of their entrenched patterns and comfort zones. This contrast with their emotional status quo often helps them reconnect with themselves and, in many cases, finally let go of old wounds.

Magic mushrooms can have a similar effect of dissociation, which can be healing in some instances. In creating space between the self and the trauma, they allow individuals to process and release what has been held onto for too long.

Alejandro Jodorowsky is a cult filmmaker whose 95th birthday is this week. There's a very good chance that Psychomagic, his first documentary and most recent film as of writing (released the year he turned 90), will end up being his final film. I may be wrong, but I can't think of many directors at all who've made something after turning 90 (Clint Eastwood and Yoji Yamada are the only two I can think of).

It's a fittingly strange film to go out on, if it's his last, and the fact it shows brief clips from some of his older films gives it a feeling of finality. But I'd also say Jodorowsky's sole documentary could well be a contender for his worst film, and quality-wise, it'll be sad if this is his last contribution to cinema.

Alejandro Jodorowsky claims to have developed a unique method of healing he calls Psychomagic, done mostly as an alternative to trauma-focused therapy. His bizarre commitment to his craft and the complexities/potential problems with it could make for a fascinating film... if directed by someone who wasn't Jodorowsky. The fact he gets to tell the story of the crazy, out-there, disturbing, and sometimes very uncomfortable form of therapy that he "invented" sort of rubbed me the wrong way.

At the same time, you expect this kind of ridiculousness from Jodorowsky. It does feel uniquely like a film of his, and it is sort of in character for the kind of filmmaker he is. That keeps me from rating this lower, because I think he sort of succeeded in making the kind of film he wanted to make. But, at the same time, I hate the approach, didn't find it very engaging, and would've been far more interested with a more balanced exploration of Jodorowsky and his psychological/spiritual beliefs, preferably coming from an outsider who very much wasn't the man himself.

It is tough to rate this or write about this ... this is not so much about making sense, but about how one is feeling ... it is supposed to help you heal I reckon. Not sure if it works if you don't believe in what Jodorowsky is preaching or not - it probably won't hurt, no pun intended.

But I may have gone too far ahead. While I was surprised there is another movie with Psycho Magic in its title, I would like to believe you didn*t find this particular movie by accident. Jodorowsky is infamous and you might be here because you love/hate him and his movies. Whatever it is, I can assure you that this is right up his alley ... or whatever allegory he might cook up to make a point.

I didn't know his age, but I have to admit I'm surprised he still makes movies ... he still seeks out to help people. So while I wouldn't call myself a fan, I appreciate what he does here. If it actually works or not, if it is just the people believing it, if it is staged at least a little ... all things you may consider or not. Maybe just enjoy this for the madness that it is ... this is Jodorowsky in a nutshell ... what he believes in and what his message to all of us is .. finally boiled down and not made into a "pompous" movie (you may feel different on this subject or not).

Own your feelings, good or bad, it is what you think and what you make of the movie - there is no objectivity ... something the man (master?) himself would proudly says! Like he doesn't believe in gender and age and ... you know I guess time in general (?) ... sound crazy? You bet it does ...

This movie is an entertaining ride from one psycho magical act to the next. It will inspire some people to act and others to cringe. Definitely recommend having seen or read some of Jodorowsky's work before viewing because the processes of creating psychomagic acts could have been delved into more for new viewers who may not be so familiar with specific symbols and wish to understand from an intellectual standpoint. Admittedly it also seems to drag the entire final third or more of the film. The final acts just are not as compelling to view as the first and it seems to be due to budget constraints. But for a fan like me, this was delightful.