Jodorowsky's El Topo...A multiple choice quiz

SurrealistSurrealist 218 Posts
edited March 2008 in Strut Central
I came up with this quiz for my friends who have seen Alejandro Jodorowsky's El Topo...I'm just reposting it here for the Soul Strut fam...enjoy...1. The opening scene in the desert looks like a surrealist painting rendered by the cinematographer in the style of which painter? A) Giorgio DeChirico B) Man Ray C) Salvador Dali D) Rene Magritte 2. In the third act of the movie, the protagonist makes love to and marries a A) hermaphrodite B) hippie from California C) Black woman from Brazil D) midget3. In the second act does the color of the water in the pond change? If you answered yes, proceed. If you answered no, move to the next question. What color does the water turn into? A) Purple B) Red C) Blue D) Green4) How does the second act end? A) When night falls B) When the protagonist kisses his lady goodbye C) When he is shot D) When he wakes up during the epiphany phase of self discovery with brightly colored hair5) Which rock icon praised El Topo as a masterpiece and later financed Jodorowsky's "Holy Mountain"? A) Mick Jagger B) David Bowie C) Arthur Lee D) Robert Plant E) John Lennon6) The man who was assaulted by a group of elderly sex-starved women was A) a magician from Las Vegas B) A Black man of unknown origin C) A Peruvian watch salesman D) The same man who shot at the protagonist in the second act7) What were the two women doing in the water? A) Swimming B) Fishing C) Washing their clothes D) Taking drugs and kissing8) In the third act, what happens the last time the gun is fired in the church? A) Nothing B) It backfires C) The whole church blows up D) A bullet strikes a baby in the face9) El Topo can be classified as A) A surrealist western B) A psychedelic masterpiece C) An allegorical tale D) A desert road movie E) All of the Above F) None of the above G) A, B and C10) Alejandro Jodorowsky was scheduled to work with Pink Floyd, Salvador Dali, Moebius, HR Giger and Orson Welles on which failed project (amazing list isn't it???) A) A huge answer to Woodstock in Mexico B) Dune C) A film adaptation of Brave New World D) A film starring all past and present members of Pink Floyd

  Comments


  • SPlDEYSPlDEY Vegas 3,375 Posts
    Dude, you're almost as nerdy as me.. and it's freakin me out.

    - spidey

  • Dude, you're almost as nerdy as me.. and it's freakin me out.

    - spidey
    Hahahaha...I want to make one for Mean Streets too...and also Vertigo...now Vertigo is one of my all-time favorite films!!!

  • Memento and Schizopolis...now those two films also deserve the quiz treatment...Mulholland Drive would be good subject material also, but I have to wait until I have a day off, hahaha

  • its been a while since ive seen it but definitely one of my favorites. probably wrong on all of these but here goes:

    1)Chirico
    2)Midget
    3)yes, red
    4)C, shot
    5)not sure but id be interested to know
    6)D?
    7)D?
    8)A
    9)G?
    10)B?

  • Five is Lennon.

  • ostost Montreal 1,375 Posts
    its been a while since ive seen it but definitely one of my favorites. probably wrong on all of these but here goes:

    1)Chirico
    2)Midget
    3)yes, red
    4)C, shot
    5)not sure but id be interested to know
    6)D?
    7)D?
    8)A
    9)G?
    10)B?
    question 5 is John Lennon... in fact he repressed the OST on his label... that soundtrack is dope as f*ck...

  • ostost Montreal 1,375 Posts
    Five is Lennon.
    damn , you beat me to it by a couple of seconds...

  • Five is Lennon.
    Yes!

  • its been a while since ive seen it but definitely one of my favorites. probably wrong on all of these but here goes:

    1)Chirico
    2)Midget
    3)yes, red
    4)C, shot
    5)not sure but id be interested to know
    6)D?
    7)D?
    8)A
    9)G?
    10)B?
    Correct guesses on 7 and 10 - right on the money...as for 1, how did you arrive at that answer? I would have said Dali or even Tanguy, which is not one of the choices, before I would have said DeChirico...2 is correct, hahaha...5,6 and 8 are incorrect...with 9, there are two possible correct answers, one of which is your choice...

  • ZekeZeke 221 Posts
    #8 is D if I remember correctly.
    #6 is B (Guessing here.)

  • #8 is D if I remember correctly.
    Yes! you are indeed correct...that scene was crazy

  • #8 is D if I remember correctly.
    #6 is B (Guessing here.)
    Yes, 6 is correct also...it wasn't a pivotal or even major scene, so it would have been very easy to forget except for the fact it provided a lot of comic relief...

  • ZekeZeke 221 Posts
    Yeah, I saw El Topo and Holy Mountain at the beginning of last summer on the big screen on U Penn's campus when the masters were doing their tour.

  • Yeah, I saw El Topo and Holy Mountain at the beginning of last summer on the big screen on U Penn's campus when the masters were doing their tour.
    great double bill...anyone seen Santa Sangre? Jodorowsky's Dune would have been amazing...still a bit sad we'll never get to see his film adaptation...

  • FrankFrank 2,372 Posts
    Santa Sangre is probably the one movie that I saw most often... along with Out Of The Blue by D. Hopper.
    For a couple of years, whenever I got involved with a new girl, I watched one of these two movies with her. If she didn't like it, I knew I was wasting my time.
    I'll never forget when I first saw El Topo as a teenager, mind blowing. Holy Mountain though kinda annoyed me after the first half hour. I was very excited about seeing it and then it turned out being some sort of hippie commedy. It's been some 15 years though and I might want to give it another try.

  • SPlDEYSPlDEY Vegas 3,375 Posts
    Jodorowsky comes from a Chilean mime/performance art background. So a lot of his movies have to be understood through actions as opposed to with the words.

    Santa Sangre is the most self revealing/autobiographical.

    Holy mountain is definitely the young naive hippie rebellion stage of Jodorowskys career. Though it is clearly the most visually psychedelic.

    El Topo has the layers, and psuedoscience that Jodorowsky still teaches.

    Fando y Lis is probably the most heartbreaking. That shows cruelty and love go hand in hand.

    - spidey

  • its been a while since ive seen it but definitely one of my favorites. probably wrong on all of these but here goes:

    1)Chirico
    2)Midget
    3)yes, red
    4)C, shot
    5)not sure but id be interested to know
    6)D?
    7)D?
    8)A
    9)G?
    10)B?
    Correct guesses on 7 and 10 - right on the money...as for 1, how did you arrive at that answer? I would have said Dali or even Tanguy, which is not one of the choices, before I would have said DeChirico...2 is correct, hahaha...5,6 and 8 are incorrect...with 9, there are two possible correct answers, one of which is your choice...

    I would say De Chirico because his paintings to me are more about the desert and shadows, and travel, which of my vague memory of watching the film the scene evoked, I also remember there being some simple white buildings which are prevalent in many of his works, I also remember a random, more classical sculpture appearing in the movie, as oppose to the more abstract surreal constructions in the other aforementioned painters. The geometric creations of one of th masters might remind me of some of Dali's work, but you said opening scene. Tanguy probably not, although the sand in his paintings seem similar to some of the scenes, his figures kind of steal the show, and his marble colors aren't really present in the movie. Dali, too dark, magritte wasnt really known for his deserts, man ray would be my second guess but I think more of photography with him, not so much painting.

    Was De Chirico correct in his influence or is this just what I think? Judging by your name you probably know more about this than me.

    I own a copy of the soundtrack and its definitely one of my favorite records!

  • Santa Sangre is probably the one movie that I saw most often... along with Out Of The Blue by D. Hopper.
    For a couple of years, whenever I got involved with a new girl, I watched one of these two movies with her. If she didn't like it, I knew I was wasting my time.
    I'll never forget when I first saw El Topo as a teenager, mind blowing. Holy Mountain though kinda annoyed me after the first half hour. I was very excited about seeing it and then it turned out being some sort of hippie commedy. It's been some 15 years though and I might want to give it another try.
    You know what? A friend of mine once said his favorite Jodorowsky film is Santa Sangre, and based on your opinions and his - as well as my own curiosity - I really want to see this one! Cool litmus test as far as deciding which person is right for you, haha. I was blown away by El Topo when I first saw it also, but Jodorowsky is one director whose work is really challenging. I would like to see everything he has ever directed, if that is at all possible. I understand he has collaborated with Marilyn Manson or at least has some kind of influence over Manson, I don't know...hahaha...I wonder what that tea party is like...

  • its been a while since ive seen it but definitely one of my favorites. probably wrong on all of these but here goes:

    1)Chirico
    2)Midget
    3)yes, red
    4)C, shot
    5)not sure but id be interested to know
    6)D?
    7)D?
    8)A
    9)G?
    10)B?
    Correct guesses on 7 and 10 - right on the money...as for 1, how did you arrive at that answer? I would have said Dali or even Tanguy, which is not one of the choices, before I would have said DeChirico...2 is correct, hahaha...5,6 and 8 are incorrect...with 9, there are two possible correct answers, one of which is your choice...

    I would say De Chirico because his paintings to me are more about the desert and shadows, and travel, which of my vague memory of watching the film the scene evoked, I also remember there being some simple white buildings which are prevalent in many of his works, I also remember a random, more classical sculpture appearing in the movie, as oppose to the more abstract surreal constructions in the other aforementioned painters. The geometric creations of one of th masters might remind me of some of Dali's work, but you said opening scene. Tanguy probably not, although the sand in his paintings seem similar to some of the scenes, his figures kind of steal the show, and his marble colors aren't really present in the movie. Dali, too dark, magritte wasnt really known for his deserts, man ray would be my second guess but I think more of photography with him, not so much painting.

    Was De Chirico correct in his influence or is this just what I think? Judging by your name you probably know more about this than me.

    I own a copy of the soundtrack and its definitely one of my favorite records!
    I disagree...and here's why: DeChirico's ouevre, at least most of what has been presented to the viewing public, is has a few basic concerns which seem to be common denominators in almost all of his major paintings - architectonic concerns, geometricized environments, shadowing, and enclosure/parameters...In the opening scene of El Topo, the only element used (by Jodorowsky's set decorator/location specialist/cinematographer) from that list is shadowing. Remember, Tanguy was not one of the original four choices. Tanguy did, however, have more open environments than DeChirico did, and he had his desert paintings as well (albeit a more abstracted desert than what most people are accustomed to seeing). The point was never that Magritte is known for his deserts because even though he is one of the choices, you should really be paying more attention to the sky/clouds and other things, such as the subject of the painting. Yes, Man Ray has some great photos but looking back on his work, when grouping him with other surrealists, it might be best to check out his paintings first, especially if you want to base an answer on what you've seen in his paintings that reminds you of El Topo. Within the surrealist milieu, there are actually lots of different painters (for which a person could make a case that Jodorowsky was directly or indirectly influenced by) who could have been chosen as a possible answer. I just don't see any similarity or iconographic connection between DeChirico and Jodorowsky...I do, however, see a lot of elements of Dali's surrealist vision in some of Jodorowsky's environments...

    Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


    Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


    Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


    Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


    Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


    Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting




  • ostost Montreal 1,375 Posts


    If I saw someone moving like that at a club I either call an ambulance and let them know someone's having a seizure or get da f*ck outta there...

  • hemolhemol 2,578 Posts
    If I saw someone moving like that at a club I either call an ambulance and let them know someone's having a seizure or get da f*ck outta there...

    I know right? That dude should leanr how to nod his head and hold a Coors light, because dancing for/with cute girls is totally unthug.

    I liked the soundtrack for Holy Mountain better than the film. it seemed pretty indulgent, although knowing that then ending was supposed to be a live birth makes it difficult to hate.

  • 416 Rhythmless Crackhead Electric Slide...

  • Jodorowsky comes from a Chilean mime/performance art background. So a lot of his movies have to be understood through actions as opposed to with the words.

    Santa Sangre is the most self revealing/autobiographical.

    Holy mountain is definitely the young naive hippie rebellion stage of Jodorowskys career. Though it is clearly the most visually psychedelic.

    El Topo has the layers, and psuedoscience that Jodorowsky still teaches.

    Fando y Lis is probably the most heartbreaking. That shows cruelty and love go hand in hand.

    - spidey
    wow! cool analysis of his work...

  • ostost Montreal 1,375 Posts
    I know right? That dude should leanr how to nod his head and hold a Coors light, because dancing for/with cute girls is totally unthug.
    Sorry bout that man... didn't know you identified with his "dance" technique...

  • FrankFrank 2,372 Posts
    Jodorowsky comes from a Chilean mime/performance art background. So a lot of his movies have to be understood through actions as opposed to with the words.

    Santa Sangre is the most self revealing/autobiographical.

    Holy mountain is definitely the young naive hippie rebellion stage of Jodorowskys career. Though it is clearly the most visually psychedelic.

    El Topo has the layers, and psuedoscience that Jodorowsky still teaches.

    Fando y Lis is probably the most heartbreaking. That shows cruelty and love go hand in hand.

    - spidey
    wow! cool analysis of his work...

    I think he's only part Chilean... I'm not sure wher I read this. Maybe some old early 90s issue of Forced Exposure magazine that had a big Jodorowsky story with interview but I think he's also part polish and has spent a lot of time in Spain. I heard he was kinda expelled for having offended the rest of the surrealist movement by being way too offensivly anti-catholic. I saw pictures of a street performace, I don't know which city in Spain where he had dudes with long hair bound to crosses and a big sign set up that read : "Christs For Sale".

    Fando Y Lis was a co-productzion with Arrabal, right?

    Do you guys know Arrabal's "Viva La Muerte"?


  • hemolhemol 2,578 Posts
    I know right? That dude should leanr how to nod his head and hold a Coors light, because dancing for/with cute girls is totally unthug.
    Sorry bout that man... didn't know you identified with his "dance" technique...

    No apologies necessary, just syaing, let the dude have his shine and kick it with that cute girl. Why hat when Spring is so close?

  • SPlDEYSPlDEY Vegas 3,375 Posts

    I think he's only part Chilean... I'm not sure wher I read this. Maybe some old early 90s issue of Forced Exposure magazine that had a big Jodorowsky story with interview but I think he's also part polish and has spent a lot of time in Spain. I heard he was kinda expelled for having offended the rest of the surrealist movement by being way too offensivly anti-catholic. I saw pictures of a street performace, I don't know which city in Spain where he had dudes with long hair bound to crosses and a big sign set up that read : "Christs For Sale".

    Fando Y Lis was a co-productzion with Arrabal, right?

    Do you guys know Arrabal's "Viva La Muerte"?


    "Yes. I don't know what nationality I have! I was born in Chile but when I
    think about myself, I don't have a nationality.
    IS IT GOOD TO NOT HAVE A NATIONALITY?- A. Jodorowsky"

    He's spent time in spain, mexico, south america, and currently france. I don't remember reading about him being expelled, but reading his interviews is most of the time like reading palindromes.

    Fando y lis was based on the play by Fernando arrabal, but from what I understand Arrabal hated the jodorowsky movie. I haven't had a chance to see any of the Arrabal films yet, but I'm sure I'll end up getting them from Karagarga.

    - spidey

  • Jodorowsky comes from a Chilean mime/performance art background. So a lot of his movies have to be understood through actions as opposed to with the words.

    Santa Sangre is the most self revealing/autobiographical.

    Holy mountain is definitely the young naive hippie rebellion stage of Jodorowskys career. Though it is clearly the most visually psychedelic.

    El Topo has the layers, and psuedoscience that Jodorowsky still teaches.

    Fando y Lis is probably the most heartbreaking. That shows cruelty and love go hand in hand.

    - spidey
    wow! cool analysis of his work...

    I think he's only part Chilean... I'm not sure wher I read this. Maybe some old early 90s issue of Forced Exposure magazine that had a big Jodorowsky story with interview but I think he's also part polish and has spent a lot of time in Spain. I heard he was kinda expelled for having offended the rest of the surrealist movement by being way too offensivly anti-catholic. I saw pictures of a street performace, I don't know which city in Spain where he had dudes with long hair bound to crosses and a big sign set up that read : "Christs For Sale".

    Fando Y Lis was a co-productzion with Arrabal, right?

    Do you guys know Arrabal's "Viva La Muerte"?

    Luis Bunuel, another surrealist director, might have also had problems due to his irreverent sentiments about the Catholic church as displayed in L'Age D'Or (made in the late 1920s, but I may be mistaken about the time)

  • I know right? That dude should leanr how to nod his head and hold a Coors light, because dancing for/with cute girls is totally unthug.
    Sorry bout that man... didn't know you identified with his "dance" technique...

    No apologies necessary, just syaing, let the dude have his shine and kick it with that cute girl. Why hat when Spring is so close?
    stay focused!!...the topic of discussion is El Topo! haha
Sign In or Register to comment.