Jodorowsky’s Dune documents the fascinating story of Chilean-French cult filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky’s failed attempt to develop a film adaption of what many consider one of the most influential science fiction novels in history.
It’s the story of a movie that never actually made it to production, yet still manages to be absolutely incredible to watch unfold. There are plenty of highlights, with Jodorowsky’s tangents about his recruitment of Orson Welles, Mick Jagger and Salvador Dali to the project being some of the film’s more culturally surreal moments. While not all that surprising, it’s fascinating to watch the ultimate fate unfold – not to mention the projects and partnership that rise from the ashes of Jodorowsky’s Dune.
Jodorowsky himself is a fascinating figure, his idealism magnetic and his passion infectious. Early on he ambitiously describes the development of the film as “the coming of a God” and the animated storyboard sequences in the documentary do a good job of conveying Jodorowsky’s vision for the film.
If there are any major weaknesses to the documentary, they come in the form of its structure. The whole thing feels a little disjointed and fades to black so often it sometimes works against the efforts to draw you in. Jodorowsky’s Dune also assumes a reasonable amount of background knowledge on Jodorowsky and doesn’t spend much time on why his previous films were received in the way they were.
Jodorowsky’s Dune is a documentary that works well because it encourages viewers to indulge themselves in speculation and envision a world where the film beat Star Wars to the title of first sci-fi blockbuster. It taps into the passion and talent behind the failed project and brings it to life in a way that no real Hollywood project could accomplish.
4/5 stars
Jodorowsky’s Dune opens at Dendy Newtown on Thursday September 18.
