The MovieThe Short Version If you love science fiction, movies, or whomping good stories, you’ll love this documentary. The Plot in a Nutshell In the mid-1970’s, a Chilean director with his roots in the Surrealist movement began to develop a film version of Frank Herbert’s Dune; assembling along the way a team of dazzling eccentricity and talent (a sample joke: Dali, Orson Welles, and H.R. Giger walk into a bar…). That film was never made, and Jodorwosky’s Dune tells its story. |  |
The Reason You (and Your Gentleman/Lady Friend) Will Love it
I haven’t been this enthusiastic about a film in years—and about a documentary, never. I wish there was some way I could find the magic combination of words that would convey the depth of my delight in this movie and convince you to run not walk to your media streaming service of choice.
I have never been a Dune fangirl (although I am surrounded by them), nor do I delight in documentaries. So it was with some trepidation that I agreed to review Jodorowsky’s Dune for a potential Date Night: I was afraid I would be bored, or, worse, irritated by a deluge of unrestrained gushing.
Five minutes in, I realized the documentarians were trying to tell me one of the most entertaining stories I’ve ever heard.
Why will you, and your gentleman/lady friend love it? Because you will be in the hands of masters. The makers of Jodorowsky’s Dune know what they’re doing. A documentary about a surrealist version of Dune that included the participation of Mick Jagger, Dan O’Bannon, and Pink Floyd could easily have drifted into squee territory. Instead, although we’re treated to the minimally acceptable amount of fanboy-ing from a few people who probably weren’t even alive in the mid-70’s, the film mostly concentrates on its strengths: a bunch of hilarious Europeans, a totally insane Chilean, H.R. Giger, and a really nutso story.
The result is something like Spinal Tap for science fiction, only it’s even better, because it really happened.
I have never been a Dune fangirl (although I am surrounded by them), nor do I delight in documentaries. So it was with some trepidation that I agreed to review Jodorowsky’s Dune for a potential Date Night: I was afraid I would be bored, or, worse, irritated by a deluge of unrestrained gushing.
Five minutes in, I realized the documentarians were trying to tell me one of the most entertaining stories I’ve ever heard.
Why will you, and your gentleman/lady friend love it? Because you will be in the hands of masters. The makers of Jodorowsky’s Dune know what they’re doing. A documentary about a surrealist version of Dune that included the participation of Mick Jagger, Dan O’Bannon, and Pink Floyd could easily have drifted into squee territory. Instead, although we’re treated to the minimally acceptable amount of fanboy-ing from a few people who probably weren’t even alive in the mid-70’s, the film mostly concentrates on its strengths: a bunch of hilarious Europeans, a totally insane Chilean, H.R. Giger, and a really nutso story.
The result is something like Spinal Tap for science fiction, only it’s even better, because it really happened.
The Clothes
A documentary at home calls for a casual ensemble, but go ahead and add whatever bright and bizarre accessories you want to. There are costumes made entirely of rainbow-colored feathers in this film.
The Booze
Jodorowsky’s Dune needed an alcoholic beverage as weird and as frothy as it is, which is not a low bar. Fortunately, we don’t even need to leave Chile to find it.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give to you…the Terremoto.
It’s a white-wine-and-pineapple-sherbet float. And it’s the most delicious thing I’ve had in ages.
The story goes, apparently, that the drink was born in 1985 (a most auspicious year, since one Diana C. Biller was also born during it) after an earthquake (a terremoto). A group of foreign reporters had arrived to cover the disaster, and took refuge from the heat in a local bar. They were served a version of an existing drink with pineapple sherbet added in, and one of them exclaimed “Now this is an earthquake!”
It’s difficult to find a definitive recipe for the Terremoto. I made mine only with a simple white wine and sherbet, exactly like a root beer float (recipe: pour wine, add scoop of sherbet.) A more complicated version, including pisco, is available from the bar that claims to have originated it.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give to you…the Terremoto.
It’s a white-wine-and-pineapple-sherbet float. And it’s the most delicious thing I’ve had in ages.
The story goes, apparently, that the drink was born in 1985 (a most auspicious year, since one Diana C. Biller was also born during it) after an earthquake (a terremoto). A group of foreign reporters had arrived to cover the disaster, and took refuge from the heat in a local bar. They were served a version of an existing drink with pineapple sherbet added in, and one of them exclaimed “Now this is an earthquake!”
It’s difficult to find a definitive recipe for the Terremoto. I made mine only with a simple white wine and sherbet, exactly like a root beer float (recipe: pour wine, add scoop of sherbet.) A more complicated version, including pisco, is available from the bar that claims to have originated it.
The Food
If you’re feeling energetic, why not try some empanadas (aka the food of gods)? The Kitchn has a roundup of several tasty-sounding recipes. In fact, they look so tasty I think I’m going to make those Argentinian Beef ones tonight…God I love empanadas.
Whatever you decide to eat, make sure it’s hearty. Those Terremotos are quite…impactful.
Enjoy!
Whatever you decide to eat, make sure it’s hearty. Those Terremotos are quite…impactful.
Enjoy!
By Diana Christine Biller. Follow her on Twitter.
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