Fando And Lis
(Fando y Lis)
Fantoma Films DVD 96 minutes, B&W, 1968

review by Shade Rupe

There has never been better time for the home video obscure film aficionado. The advent of DVD has brought many riches into our homes, and has created an archival situation that was previously only hinted at with laserdisc, although that bulky, heavy, and expensive medium still kept rare obscure films out of the living rooms of most Americans.
Fantoma Films, a new company operating out of San Francisco, went to every extreme possible to present Alejandro Jodorowsky's long, long lost film Fando And Lisin its most complete form on DVD, including the director's first full-length commentary, an 87-minute documentary La Constellation Jodorowskyand even a full-color reprint of the original 8-page brochure handed out upon the film's release. Previously available on only the murkiest of bootleg copies, so scanned across it was barely possible to read the subtitles, this release can only breach a greater gateway for obscure foreign cinema on DVD.
Jodorowsky, best known for creating the midnight movie experience with El Topo,and continuing that tradition with the equally delirious The Holy Mountain,certainly began both of these adventures in cinema experience right here with Fando And Lis.Crowds following individuals, strange rituals, mystic experience, death to rebirth, and more themes of Jodorowsky's work are crowded into this 96-minute film. Reminiscent of Erendiraat times, David Lynch in others, and the director himself most of all, Fando And Lisis one of those rare moments you caught at the old repertory theatre before they tore it down for the multiplex.
Lis eats a flower. The story of the city of Tar is read over the illustrated credits. A burning piano is knocked over again and again. Mud bathers gather and rise at the base of a mountain. A little doll's crotch has an opening jabbed in and a snake is put in the new hole.
I think I'll stop here. Art film is too loose a term to describe what Jodorowsky is doing here. This is mysticism, alchemy, magic. And this DVD also boasts one of the richest commentaries ever released on DVD. Quite varied with references to the film itself, the thoughts behind the choices in the film, notes on the actors, mentions of other events guiding the director's decisions, the commentary adds not only a greater understanding, but a greater appreciation for what the man is concocting here.
Fully lucid and cogent in his 70s, the commentary makes a fine bridge to yet another treasure on the disc, Louis Mouchet's documentary. Delving even further into Jodorowsky's 'constellation,' other portions of the man's life are presented, from Tarot card readings to group encounter sessions to comic book art and beyond. The documentary also includes interviews with Jean "Moebius" Giraud, Marcel Marceau, Peter Gabriel and Fernando Arrabal.
The only drawback to this disc is a strobing effect that occurs while watching the film, although there is a disclaimer on the disc. Pardoning this light distraction, Fantoma's release of Fando And Lisis a milestone in the history of film preservation.

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