You
could say it is another manifestation of the Malickian Phenomenon. After
decades without a new film, Alejandro Jodorowsky has entered a period of
unexpected productivity. With Jodorowsky’s Dune, Frank Pavich’s documentary examination of his ill-fated attempt to
adapt the science fiction classic, still fresh in theaters, Jodorwosky’s long
awaited chronicle of his formative years is finally due to open in New York
this coming Friday. Yet, the most Jodorowskian film of all might be his son
Adan’s new short film, based on a story by the old man himself. Expect
impassioned strangeness when Jodorowsky’s The
Voice Thief (trailer
here) screens
at the 2014 Seattle International Film Festival.
It
is hard to be married to a diva, but Noev is utterly devoted to Naya.
Unfortunately, she is no Maria Callas. When a particularly nasty review sparks
a spat the long submissive Noev finally snaps. His brief choke hold will have
dire consequences: the loss of her voice. Desperate to make amends, he heads
off into the night with his trusty bell jar to steal her a new one. He picks
some odd targets though. This will become rather vexing when Naya takes on the
traits of her purloined voices’ original owners.
So
if you are looking for a film in which a transvestite midget prostitute plays an
important role, the Jodorowsky family is here to serve. It is indeed a family
affair, with brother Cristobal (a.k.a. Axel) appearing as Noev. Although Adan
has previously been better known as a musician, as a filmmaker, he is clearly a
chip off the trippy block. With its lush and bizarre sets and costumes, as well
as the deliberately discomfiting aria, Thief
often resembles the Third Element’s freaky
cousin.
For
some reason, Thief is often
classified under the experimental rubric, but it follows a pretty well defined narrative
path—whereas visually, it is totally out there. The attention dedicated to
human weakness and perversity gets a bit tiresome even during its twenty-six
minute running time (but just wait for The
Dance of Reality). Still, Thief also
boasts Asia Argento as Naya, so every cult film aficionado should have some
familiarity with it. After all, it is destined to be revived for every
Jodorowosky retrospective, because he just does not have that many films to
program and one of them is Tusk.
