11.12.2008
Quick Note: Interview with John Yorke
I realize that this has already been posted at Boing Boing (and Lashtal), but if you haven't seen it, here is an interview with John Yorke, son of Gerald Yorke, a friend and disciple of Aleister Crowley.
The interview, conducted by Julian "Chemical Wedding" Doyle, discusses Yorke's collection of Crowley related items (including Crowley's wand), and shares anecdotes about The Rolling Stones and Kenneth Anger.
Labels: Aleister Crowley, Chemical Wedding, film, Magick, movies, occult, Thelema
11.09.2008
Unleash the Kraken!!!
If you're around my age, and you had cable television, you have probably seen the 1981 film "Clash of the Titans" around a thousand times. Based very (very) loosely on the legend of Perseus, the story was truly epic, featuring a wide array of Harryhausen monsters and glowing, berobed gods and goddesses meddling in human affairs.
Harry Hamlin as Perseus
So imagine my surprise (and, I must admit, delight) in learning that not only are they remaking "Clash of the Titans" but the film is in direct competition with another film steeped in Greek myth and legend entitled "War of Gods".
"The race for "War of the Gods" and "Clash of the Titans," two rival projects set up at Relativity and Warners, is quickening. Both are close to casting their leads, with "Stardust" topliner Henry Cavill set to star in "Gods" and "Terminator Salvation" star Sam Worthington in negotiations to climb aboard "Titans," which Thunder Road is producing and Legendary Pictures is co-producing." In addition, the projects have set start dates. "Gods" would seem to have the edge -- it's tentatively planned for a February shoot, while production on "Titans" is slated to begin in April."
What is interesting about both of these films, especially from the perspective of Pagans and Greek myth fans, is that they will directly address and involve mythological beings and deities. Breaking a recent trend to secularize or demean pre-Christian religion in films like "300" or "Troy".
"'War of Gods' concerns the battles waged by Theseus, a warrior from Greek mythology, who leads a fight against the imprisoned titans. Among the hooks is that, unlike some mythological tales, gods fight alongside mortals."
While I sincerely doubt either film will hew close to actual Greek myth (Theseus never fought Titans alongside the gods), I'm not adverse to seeing new myths constructed for new times. Plus, with today's green screen technology, you can expect some truly spectacular effects (though Harryhausen monsters will always hold a special place in my heart). Both films are scheduled to be released in 2010. It should be interesting to see who triumphs at the box-office, the son of Zeus, or the son of Poseidon?
Labels: Clash of the Titans, film, Greece, movies, Myth, Paganism, War of Gods
10.25.2008
Deryni Filming
Hollywood Reporter brings us the news that Columbia Pictures has made a six-figure deal to bring the novel "Deryni Rising" to the screen, with hopes that it could become a successful fantasy movie franchise.
Deryni Rising cover art.
"Columbia Pictures is bringing Katherine Kurtz's "Deryni Rising" to the big screen. In a six-figure deal, the studio has picked up "Deryni" as a spec by Alex Sabeti. Jimmy Miller is producing via his Mosaic banner. "Deryni" is a historical fantasy novel first published in 1970 that launched Kurtz's "Deryni Kingdom" series that, almost 40 years later, encompasses five trilogies, short stories and reference books. The story is set in a medieval kingdom of humans alongside the Deryni, a race of people with psychic and magical abilities. The first novel centers on a young prince who, after the death of his father the king, must defend his throne from a Deryni usurper."
The Deryni novels are written by Katherine Kurtz, an esoteric Christian (founder of the Michaelines) who is remarkably Pagan-friendly. Back in the early 80s she wrote "Lammas Night", a classic in the "Pagans save the world"
It should be interesting to see how they portray magic (especially ritual magic), the kingdom of Gwynedd (loosely modeled after Britain), and the Holy Church of Gwynedd (loosely modeled after the Roman Catholic Church). Will Catholic groups complain about the blending of esoteric practices into what is obviously their church? Will the religious elements get downplayed or watered down (as in the film version of The Golden Compass)? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
* My favorite "Pagans save the world" novel is Stewart Farrar's "Omega" (which you can buy used for a PENNY at Amazon).
Labels: books, Christianity, Deryni Rising, film, Katherine Kurtz, Magic, Magick, movies
10.16.2008
Watching the Witches
As we get closer to Halloween, Witch-themed media becomes a more and more popular subject for television programmers. We already know about the upcoming Salem-themed episode of "Opportunity Knocks" featuring Laurie "Official Witch of Salem" Cabot, but now cable television will be getting into the act. The Biography channel will be airing a special on Witches (ancient and modern) on October 30th (part of their October "Boo-ography" promotion).
Witness the disembodied floating head of Silver! Spooky!
According to Llewellyn Worldwide publicist Jennifer Spees, the show will be "an exploration of witchcraft from medieval times through the present", and feature interviews with Christopher Penczak, Stefani "Spiral" Barner, and Silver Ravenwolf. It isn't known at this point who else the Biography team interviewed, but it has been confirmed that they visited Salem (naturally), so it wouldn't be too surprising to see Laurie Cabot or Christian Day pop up as well. I'll refrain from speculating on what the sensationalism/accuracy ratio will be.
For those wanting to see some real live Witches on the big screen, you might want to head over to the 15th Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival, and check out the Midwest premiere of the documentary "Hoopeston" (screening, coincidentally, on October 30th). The film, directed by Thomas Bender, looks at the struggling town of Hoopeston, Illinois, and the conflicts that emerged when Witch School (and the Correllian Tradition that runs it) moved in (check out my original post on this documentary).
Hoopeston - Trailer from Synydyne on Vimeo.
"Witches will come out a day early this year. "Hoopeston," a feature-length documentary about an Illinois town and its Witch School, will play in the Chicago Underground Film Festival on October 30, the night before Halloween. Produced by SYNYDYNE, "Hoopeston" tells the story of the former Sweet Corn Capital of the World through the lives of its residents: a laborer struggles to find work, a young entrepreneur buys the only motel in town, the police chief battles a drug epidemic, and the Correllian Chancellor lays plans for a vast Crystal Web. The film balances the stark beauty of rural Illinois with candid and moving interviews from a variety of subjects. It features an original score by composer Todd Mazierski."
After the Midwest premiere, Synydyne will start selling DVDs of the film. They have a mailing list you can sign up for to be notified when copies are available. As for the Witch School folks, they'll be in Salem teaching free classes through November 1st.
So whether you want to attend a movie out (in the greater Chicagoland area), or stay inside and curl up on your couch (if you have cable television), you'll be able to gage how far forward (or back) depictions of modern Pagans have come since the days of fog-machines, strobe lighting, and the morning talk-show circuit. Happy viewing!
Labels: Biography, documentaries, film, Hoopeston, Llewellyn, movies, Paganism, Reality Television, Salem, Television, Wicca, Witch, Witch School, Witchcraft
9.21.2008
The Wild Hunt's Pop-Culture Round-Up
A brief look at happenings in the world of film, television, comics, and novels.
Well, the first episode of the BBC's new series "Merlin" premiered yesterday, what did the critics think? I think it's safe to say that Mark Pickavance at Den of Geek hated it.
"...it’s all over the place. One minute it’s legend, then slapstick, then panto, then drama, horror and then mystery – they missed out the science fiction and western genres, but we’ve another 12 episodes of this for that to be rectified."
Meanwhile, TV Scoop was far more kind.
"...for those of us who were holding our breath and hoping against hope that Auntie's latest Saturday night blockbuster series wouldn't be another turkey like Robin Hood, or, worse, another Bonekickers, that bated breath was released in a rousing cheer of appreciation. This time, they've really pulled it off."
It seems the more you're expecting historical realism or accuracy, the more you're going to be disappointed. Something to keep in mind when it debuts this Winter in America.
Speaking of Brits who practice magic, the Los Angeles Times interviews Alan Moore, author of "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen", "Promethea", "V For Vendetta", and "From Hell" about his upcoming projects and his opinion about the currently-in-litigation film adaptation of his critically acclaimed work "Watchmen".
"Moore has no intention of seeing the film and, in fact, he hints that he has put a magical curse on the entire endeavor. "Will the film even be coming out? There are these legal problems now, which I find wonderfully ironic. Perhaps it's been cursed from afar, from England. And I can tell you that I will also be spitting venom all over it for months to come." Moore said all that with more mischievous glee than true malice..."
In addition to cursing Hollywood (a regular pastime for Moore) he also plugs a recent documentary made about him entitled "The Mindscape of Alan Moore", and his upcoming book of magical instruction and history entitled "The Moon & Serpent Bumper Book Of Magic".
While I'm on the subject of Hollywood ruining good stories, Neil Labute thinks his atrocious and wrong-headed remake of the cult-classic "The Wicker Man" is misunderstood.
"The director thought he was taking his personal battle-of-the-sexes theme to its logical extreme by presenting “the uber male nightmare of ‘Here’s an island of women, and this is what happens when they rule the world.’” But many folks couldn’t get past Nicolas Cage in a bear suit. “I’d been very used to polarizing people, and there would be as many benefactors as detractors, but people sort of got together on that one and said, ‘You know what? I think we’re all in agreement. We just don’t care for this,’” LaBute reflected matter-of-factly."
He thinks the film, like the original, was simply marketed wrong. With that I can only agree, Labute's remake should have been marketed as a comedy. In a separate interview, Labute actually disses the original Wicker Man, proving he just didn't "get it".
"I love this movie, love the ending, but it's not that well made. The songs are goofy. I can do something else with this."
Well, he certainly did "something else" with it.
In a final, not-really-pop-culture note, go check out the saga of an angry Wiccan taking down a scam money-for-spells online site. This one has it all, multiple identities, drama, intrigue, and pro-anorexia ties!
"FastSpells.com is a scam website that claims they will cast Magick on your behalf for various sums of money. They claim to be able to find you love, give you an abortion, cure your cancer, grant you immortality, and change you sex organs. No, I'm not kidding about any of those."
Make sure you read the comments, here. It looks like his expose has resulted in the offending sites being taken down by the scam-artists.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: Alan Moore, Comics, Merlin, movies, pop-culture, Television, The Wicker Man
8.10.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
The Richmond Times Dispatch in Virginia reports on CaribFest, and speaks with Haiti's ambassador to the U.S. about Vodou/Voodoo.
"Raymond A. Joseph, Haiti's ambassador to the U.S., was quite conversant on the subject of voodoo. 'When people think of voodoo, they think about the pins and the dolls. . . . That is sorcery and witchcraft,' Joseph said. In reality, he said, 'voodoo is a religion, like any other.'"
In a fortunate piece of kismet, the public radio program Speaking of Faith aired its "Living Vodou" episode this week, which features an interview with Vodou scholar and practitioner Patrick Bellegarde-Smith.
Tropaion reports that the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, in partnership with the Onassis Cultural Foundation in New York, will be presenting an exhibition in December that may be of great interest to modern Pagans.
"Worship, Women’s Ritual and Reality in Classical Athens, is the forthcoming exhibition by the National Museum and the Onassis Cultural Foundation in New York for the following year ... The exhibition will hold 158 artifacts from the National Museum, Acropolis, Kerameikou, Thebes and others including with 29 artifacts from the British, Metropolitan, Louvre, Vatican, Berlin and other foreign Museums. The exhibition is going to be divided in four main categories / themes: goddesses, priestesses, women and ritual, festivities and women on the circle of life. The visitor will be initially introduce with the Athena Parthenou, Artemis of Brauron, Demeter and Persephone who are presented with artifacts of their temples. Then, there are the mythical priestesses like Theano, who retain the key to further discover the practical aspect of worship (sacrifices, libations and choes). The exhibition ends with the section of the cycle of life (birth, adulthood, marriage and death), which run all stages of life in relation to religion and a woman."
You can read more from this Greek paper. A formal press release hasn't been issued, but once it is, I'll provide a link.
Speaking of exhibitions in New York, the Museum of Biblical Art in Manhattan is currently hosting a traveling exhibit of 106 Albrecht Dürer prints. The famous German painter and print-maker, while devoting much of his work to Christian themes, also explored Greco-Roman myth, and did several witch-themed works. Reflecting the the growing concern (and eventual panic) that would engulf his homeland.
Excerpt from "The Four Witches" 1497
You can read more about the exhibition (which runs through Sept. 21) in this Lower Hudson Journal news article.
The Washington Post does a profile on the Hex signs of the Pennsylvania Dutch, and interviews Don Yoder, co-author of "Hex Signs: Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Symbols & Their Meaning", artist Eric Claypoole, and Patrick J. Donmoyer, a student at Kutztown University who studies hex paintings.
"Some of the symbols, he said, date to Norse, and even pagan, art. And it is no coincidence that the hub of hex sign activity is in Pennsylvania rather than, say, New York or New Jersey. "There was freedom of religion in Pennsylvania," he said. "People were afraid of so many things. Even 'witches' were protected here." The argument that hex signs couldn't have mystical meanings because they're so public and out there for the world to see is misleading, Donmoyer said."
Pennsylvania Dutch "Pow-Wow" folk practice and magic has gained popularity among some modern Pagans (to varying degrees of authenticity and success). So a thoughtful exploration of one aspect of this culture is welcome.
Druid leader King Arthur Pendragon's protest at Stonehenge has entered its second month.
"Demonstrating on behalf of the Council of British Druid Orders, King Arthur Pendragon has vowed to remain at the site, living in his caravan, until the historic site is opened fully to the public ... Pendragon, 54, has been camping close to the World Heritage Site since the Summer Solstice on June 21 and is hoping his protests will encourage the Government to remove the fences around the monument, build a tunnel under the A303 and grass over the A344."
It is unclear if Pendragon's protest, or the ongoing public consultation, will produce much needed changes in time for the 2012 Olympics.
In a final note, it looks fairly certain that Natalie Portman will be starring in a remake of Dario Argento's occult-horror masterpiece "Suspiria" (featuring an evil coven of witches).
"Handsome Charlie Films, which is headed by Natalie Portman (pictured inside) and Annette Savitch, will be producing the remake of Dario Argento's Suspiria. In addition, word has it Portman will topline the film that David Gordon Green is attached to direct. Green's PINEAPPLE EXPRESS hits theaters tomorrow."
Another addition to the large pile of horrid horror remakes (think "The Wicker Man"), or new classic for a new generation? I suppose only time will tell.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: art, Arthur Pendragon, Druidry, folklore, goddess, Greece, movies, New York, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Stonehenge, Vodou, Witchcraft
7.13.2008
Movie Review: Hellboy II
"Mexican director Guillermo del Toro has started to look like a legitimate successor to Ovid. Del Toro is not so much a creator of myths as a collector of them, a transhistorical myth nerd whose pantheon of influences ranges from Hesiod to Harryhausen (with liberal helpings of steam punk and Catholic iconography)." - Dana Stevens, Slate.com
The thing that startled me the most about "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" was that the emotional climax of the film, at least for me, didn't involve any of the main characters. Instead, the longest and most lingering sadness comes after a confrontation with a forest elemental. I won't give anything away, but this scene, and several smaller scenes like it throughout "Hellboy", underscore a theme director Guillermo del Toro has been exploring through much of his work. Most notably in the Academy Award-winning "Pan's Labyrinth". The conflict between a world filled with enchantment, and one that denies the imagination, that eradicates the sacredness of our world.
Hellboy vs. the forest elemental.
While the representation of soulless clockwork progress is represented by Spanish fascists in "Pan's Labyrinth", in "The Golden Army" humanity itself is suspect. As the Christianity Today review ponders: "Is the human race worth saving?"
"In the original Hellboy, the villains were adversaries like demons, Nazis, gods of chaos, assassins and necromancers—characters understood to be evil more or less by nature or by definition ... Hellboy II shifts from this kind of mythic good-vs-evil storytelling to something more like classical mythology, with variously flawed characters on all sides."
The character of Hellboy, wanting nothing more than to be "out" and loved by the people he secretly protects, is stunned when he isn't greeted as a hero and is instead treated as a spectacle at best, and a danger at worst. The movie asks, in a variety of ways, should he really be on humanity's side? Does humanity, with its various sins against a dying world of faerie, and an increasingly poisoned Earth, even deserve saving? The film never directly answers that question, though you can be fairly certain that Del Toro himself would prefer a humanity that didn't seem so eager to do away with the strange and fantastical.
Guillermo del Toro supports HETFET!
Of course "Hellboy" is also a big summer action film, and there are plenty of explosions, fights, comedic moments, and one-liners to please those who want nothing more than two hours of entertainment. However, unlike the stupid and nihilistic "Wanted", or the enjoyable but uneven "Incredible Hulk", Del Toro wraps his entry into Summer blockbuster season with layers of insight and deeper meaning for those looking for something more. What other summer blockbuster can successfully pen love-letters to James Whale and Hayao Miyazaki while including a Barry Manilow sing-along?
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army" isn't "Pan's Labyrinth", but it is an enjoyable Summer film that reaches further than any genre film is expected to. Do yourself a favor and experience the amazing visuals on a big screen, you'll be glad you did. Wild Hunt approved and recommended!
Labels: Faerie, film, Guillermo del Toro, Hellboy II, movies, otherworld, Pan's Labyrinth, review
6.15.2008
Man-Witch?!?
This past week entertainment news sources have been abuzz about Jack Black dropping out of a starring role in the upcoming Warner Bros. movie "Man-Witch". For those already dreading the answer, here is the "plot" of "Man-Witch".
Jack Black
"Man-Witch centers on a man who learns he's a witch and goes off to teach the craft at a Hogwarts-like all-female witch school."
No doubt that hi-jinks ensue. One would hope that this high-profile defection will shelve plans for the film, but Warner Bros. seems committed to keep going.
"Man-Witch had a tentative January start date before Black disengaged, and is moving forward on schedule, according to Warner Brothers."
The writer/director of "Man-Witch" is Todd Phillips, who sports a resume of cinematic garbage like "Road Trip" and "Old School". One can only imagine what "treats" are in store once this film hits theaters.
So let's hear it for Jack Black's aesthetic judgment, and let's hope this film doesn't inspire any misguided press releases or "synergy" from Wiccan/Witch groups looking for a few seconds in the journalistic afterglow.
Labels: film, Jack Black, Man-Witch, movies, Witchcraft
5.19.2008
Crowley at Cannes
While a large amount of press coverage for the Cannes Film Festival has focused on the screening of a new Indiana Jones film, it isn't the only occult-laced thriller to debut at this star-studded event. The Bruce Dickinson-penned film "Chemical Wedding", a movie starring Simon Callow as a Cambridge scholar who becomes possessed by infamous occultist Aleister Crowley, also premiered.
"Metal god, actor, novelist, swordsman, pilot, DJ - and now screenwriter. Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson is a man of many parts, and this weekend he showed up in Cannes to show off a new film called Chemical Wedding. Dickinson, a registered commercial airline pilot, flew himself to the south of France, along with a bunch of journalists, fans, and suitably attired hangers-on (they carried tote bags bearing the legend "Bruce Air Flight 666")."
So how was the film? Early critical response is mixed. Andrew Pulver, who covered the Cannes screening, admires Dickinson's drive to see the film made, but finds the final product somewhat lacking.
"Without Dickinson, Chemical Wedding would have remained one of the submerged nine-tenths of gunk films clogging up the Cannes film market. Hampered by ropey performances, it never reaches the levels of weirdness and humour it is aiming at."
Meanwhile, the website Den of Geek calls "Chemical Wedding" formulaic, and quite dull outside the electric performance of Simon Callow as the Crowley-possessed Haddo.
"...the film isn't entirely without merit. Callow, as I said, is phenomenal, some of the photography is pretty, it's evidently well-researched and there are one or two very funny scenes. In fact, the film is at its strongest when playing up the comedy angle (a sick gallows humour that the Mega Therion himself would have guffawed at) but weak when it tries - and fails - to be scary or thrilling. A shame because the ideas are sound - it just feels like it was shot from an unpolished first draft. Do what thou wilt probably shouldn't be the whole of the law when it comes to writing coherently..."
The most damning review comes from Ivor Davies, who decries the treatment of Crowley (or at least his spirit) as uncontrollably evil and amoral.
"Numerous examples of exactly "just how evil could a person possessed by Aleister Crowley be" continue in a procession of visual and conceptual shocks ranging from relatively innocuous excrement deposited on an office desk to the crucifixion of a prostitute. Now, controversial a character as Crowley was, I really must ask what Bruce Dickinson is up to here. I listened to Callow emphasise that his portrayal of Haddo was "Playing the part of someone possessed by Crowley... and not actually Crowley Himself" but I see this as a pre-emptive excuse on his part for what we saw on screen and some of the issues that we might have with it."
So, taken together, not a very flattering portrait of the film. You might want to wait for the DVD, if you see it at all. It's too bad. A drama, even a horror film, involving Aleister Crowley could have loads of potential. A shame that "Chemical Wedding" seems to make Crowley just another murderous rampaging spirit, instead of a nuanced and complex figure.
Labels: Aleister Crowley, Chemical Wedding, film, Magick, movies, occult, Thelema
5.10.2008
Guillermo del Toro's Fairy War
Life has been good for director Guillermo del Toro lately. His 2006 film "Pan's Labyrinth" was widely acclaimed by critics (winning three Academy Awards), and he was recently tapped to direct the two Hobbit films (under the watchful eye of Peter Jackson). In between these two momentous events comes the July release of "Hellboy II: The Golden Army", which continues to mine the rich themes of myth, faith, choice, and the imagination.
"I think it's the primal motor of human endeavor," said del Toro about his fascination with exploring mythology and fantasy in his films. "All human endeavor: spiritual, physical, social. I think myth makes humans what we are, it is the essence of being human, the capacity to invent. No raccoon worships the god of the trash can and we do. There are plenty of people that worship in search of a spiritual meaning. Anyone that says, 'Okay, we are this or that many chromosomes away from being an ape,' they should consider imagination as one thing that is a huge chasm between us."
The old, horned, king of the otherworld.
In this follow-up to the 2004 cult-hit, del Toro seems to be expanding on his fascination with the fairy-inhabited "otherworld" from "Pan's Labyrinth". This time with the threat of an all-out war between fairy-folk and humanity. Hellboy creator, and film co-writer, Mike Mignola, compares fae/human tensions in the movie to the history of American Indian struggles.
"The focus is more on the folklore and fairy tale aspect of Hellboy. It's not Nazis, machines and mad scientists but the old gods and characters who have been kind of shoved out of our world. I kind of equate it to the whole American Indian situation. The Indians were shoved onto reservations. You had your old, wise Indians who said, "You know, this is the way it is. We can't fight anymore. We just have to accept our fate." You then have your Geronimo character saying, "Or we could just kill the White Man." That's kind of the situation we have in the film. We have our elf characters resigning to the way things are and then there's one saying, "Or we could take the world back." The main difference is - what if the Indians had a nuclear warhead? The elves have their equivalent of the weapon that is too terrible to use. What if this guy decided to use it?"
Building on that theme, a viral marketing web site called HETFET, Humans for the Ethical Treatment of Fairies, Elves, and Trolls, has emerged.
HETFET logo.
"We know that every minute of every day, all across the world, terrible crimes are taking place all around us. But the victims of these crimes can't ask for help because humanity turns a deaf ear to the segment of society that we once called "mythical creatures." Not anymore. At HETFET, it is our unwavering belief that these misunderstood beings deserve the same rights as those given to animals or people. No more, no less; just the right to coexist and be left alone."
Needless to say, the Pagan overtones of the site, complete with a real petition to save old-growth forests, are palpable. With the otherworldly action, a film preview sporting massive pre-historic Venus figurines, and a trip through a "Troll market" (not to mention a horned god/king!), this Hellboy film is shaping up to be a real treat for the Pagan film-goer. I'm very much looking forward to seeing it in July.
Labels: Faerie, film, Guillermo del Toro, Hellboy II, movies, otherworld, Pan's Labyrinth
4.17.2008
Crowley the Supernatural Villian
The official trailer for the movie "Chemical Wedding" has been released. Directed by Julian Doyle, and written by Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson, the film stars Simon Callow as a Cambridge scholar who becomes a reincarnated Aleister Crowley.
From the trailer it seems fairly obvious that Crowley's spirit will be portrayed as downright diabolical, with hints that there may be a bit of human sacrifice, if not some violent magical mayhem, involved. It also looks like he is being played as ardently heterosexual, despite Crowley's intense love-affairs with men in his lifetime. The other major themes of the movie seems to be Crowley's relationship with Jack Parsons and L. Ron Hubbard, and a sci-fi "interactive suit" that transforms meek Haddo into Crowley.
"But did the issue [over producing a Moonchild] end with these three deaths [Crowley, Hubbard, and Parsons]? Would Crowley, as he claimed, ever return from death to rule the world? Why did US astronauts name a crater on the moon after Jack Parsons? Is L. Ron Hubbard really dead? What had been generated by the ceremony in California that seemed to signal Crowley's demise? And what happened to the missing pocket-watch? Unanswered questions till, late in the twentieth century, when Dr. Joshua Mathers brought a 'state of the art' interactive suit from Cal Tech California to Cambridge in England to be hitched up to the Z93, the biggest super-cooled, super-conductive computer in the world."
Bizarre rituals! Young naked people! Conspiracy theories! Looks like it might be the occult popcorn flick of the year. Plus, with Crowley being a spirit, you can bring him back for innumerable sequels should "Chemical Wedding" prove successful. The film is being released in the UK on May 30th. No word yet on a US screenings.
Labels: Aleister Crowley, Chemical Wedding, film, Magick, movies, occult, Thelema
4.08.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
The weekly Indian paper Mainstream takes a look at the recent protests and conflicts in Tibet, and discusses them as a conflict of rival faiths. Placing Communism in the same idealogical family as the Abrahamic faiths.
"Abrahamic religions, whenever they conquer a territory, convert the inhabitants and try to suppress their ancestral culture. Ancestral history becomes a prohibited subject. In Afghanistan and Pakistan pre-Islamic Hindu-Buddhist history is not permitted in schools. China is doing the same in Tibet..."
The author closes the piece by calling on the Indian government to abandon their "chicken-hearted" stance towards China and support autonomy for Tibet.
If you were looking forward to Robin Hardy's "Cowboys For Christ", a re-imagining of the cult classic film "The Wicker Man", you may have a long wait. Work on the film has been halted due to a loss of financial backing.
"Cameras were due to start rolling in Dumfries and Galloway this month on the follow-up to the 1970s film starring Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee. However, a statement from the local council confirmed that producers had cancelled the shoot due to last minute difficulties with finance. Councillor Gill Dykes described the news as 'bitterly disappointing'."
Alternative financing is currently being sought, but there is a very good chance that the entire project will be scuttled and the film never made.
Followers of the Taoist sea goddess Matsu are planning to seek UN protections for their religious and cultural heritage.
"Followers of the folk deity Matsu from both sides of the Taiwan Strait are planning to seek United Nations approval to have the Matsu culture declared intangible world cultural heritage, a promoter said yesterday."
UN heritage declarations are usually made for tangible places or monuments. The awarding of world heritage status to a belief system would raise a host of questions and issues, conceivably pitting UN calls for protections and preservation against conversion attempts by monotheistic faith groups.
Is George Clooney's girlfriend Sarah Larson a Witch? Her ex-boyfriend seems to certainly hint at the prospect in a lurid accounting he gives to the tabloids.
"Rock musician Tommy McKaughan reveals how the former Las Vegas waitress used to spice up their moonlit romps in the woods with a spot of witchcraft ... 'Sarah's a total hippy at heart, heavily into all the spiritual, mystic stuff - crystals, tarot cards, healing. And along with her witch-like charms she's a brilliant fun girl with no inhibitions. She loves nothing more than getting naked in a forest.'"
Of course, with anything printed in the gossip rags, a huge grain of salt should be taken along with the sensationalist assertions.
In a final note, BostonNOW reviews an upcoming novel by A.W. Gryphon entitled "Blood Moon", another entry into Wicca-inspired fiction.
"Blood Moon is Gryphon's first book, and it is also the first novel in the planned Witches Moon Trilogy. As with several other books I've read recently, this one is hard to categorize. It deals with Wicca and Witchcraft, so it could be paranormal or urban fantasy, yet Blood Moon is also a mystery, and it could also fit as a women's fiction novel as we uncover a woman's childhood and the facts of her mother's life. Regardless, this is a book that will capture your interest from the beginning, and it will be hard to put down before the story is complete."
With this, and a recent fiction release by Druid priestess Ellen Every Hopman, the small but vital "Pagan fiction" genre continues to grow.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: books, Cowboys For Christ, India, Matsu, movies, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Sarah Larson, The Wicker Man, Tibet, UNESCO, United Nations
3.28.2008
Hypatia Comes to the Screen
Filming is currently underway on "Agora", a work directed by Alejandro Amenabar ("The Others", "The Sea Inside"), that centers on the efforts of female philosopher and mathematician Hypatia to save the collected wisdom of Alexandria. Starring in the role of Hypatia will be Academy Award-winning English actress Rachel Weisz.
Max Minghella, Alejandro Amenabar, and Rachel Weisz.
"I never imagined in my wildest dreams that Hollywood would make a film set in the ancient library of Alexandria but, as Sophocles would say, polla ta deina (or, roughly translated, wonders never cease). According to Amenabar, 'It's amazing to think that [ancient Alexandria] should be condemned to oblivion, not least by filmmakers. Our entire team is devoted to bringing ancient Alexandria back to life by using a hyper-realist approach. We want the audience to see, feel and smell a remote civilization as if it were as real as the present day.'"
This film, more than any other recent film set during the classical period, will be closely watched by modern Pagans (especially Hellenic reconstructionists). Many of whom consider Hypatia to be one of the primary martyrs of pre-Christian pagan religion.
"Yet even she fell a victim to the political jealousy which at that time prevailed. For as she had frequent interviews with Orestes, it was calumniously reported among the Christian populace, that it was she who prevented Orestes from being reconciled to the bishop. Some of them therefore, hurried away by a fierce and bigoted zeal, whose ringleader was a reader named Peter, waylaid her returning home, and dragging her from her carriage, they took her to the church called Caesareum, where they completely stripped her, and then murdered her by scraping her skin off with tiles and bits of shell. After tearing her body in pieces, they took her mangled limbs to a place called Cinaron, and there burnt them." - Socrates of Constantinople
Hypatia was renowned for her knowledge and virtue, and reportedly remained a virgin until her death (she once repelled a suitor by showing him her menstrual rags). But virgin or not, such things can't stop a romantic sub-plot from being introduced into the film.
"Set in Roman Egypt in the fourth century, "Agora" tells the story of the legendary astronomer Hypatia (Weisz), trapped in the legendary Library of Alexandria, and her fight to save the old world's wisdom from the religious riots sweeping the streets of Alexandria. Her slave Davus (Minghella) wrestles with his yearning for freedom and his professed love for his mistress."
All the same, the director (who also co-wrote the script) seems passionate about the film, and according to Rachel Weisz the work "gets to the heart of the ugliness and the beauty of what it is to be human." So for now, I'm feeling quite positive about the film's prospects. With "Agora" currently filming, and "Cowboys for Christ" scheduled to start shooting in April, it looks like 2009 may be a very good year for Pagan-friendly films.
Labels: Agora, Christianity, film, Hypatia, movies, Paganism
3.05.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
The Staten Island Advance reports on a dispute between neighbors that involves a Pagan family and charges of religiously-motivated harassment.
"Ivy Colmer Vanderborgh, her husband and her mother live in one half of a duplex on Oceanview Avenue. Their Annadale neighbors say they are disrupting the neighborhood. But the Colmer Vanderborgh family claims those same neighbors are persecuting them because of their religion. Ms. Colmer Vanderborgh and her mother, Marlene Colmer, both practice Wicca. They contend that since their appearance on a Staten Island Community Television show about their religion in June 2006, neighbors have they have been verbally harassed, their car has been vandalized, their property damaged and their dog poisoned."
The neighbor charged with masterminding their harassment denies any wrongdoing, claiming the family is loud, obnoxious, and paranoid. At this point all evidence in the case is circumstantial, so we have no idea if these Wiccans are truly being persecuted, or if they simply have a persecution complex.
It is reported that The Church of England has "serious reservations" about the looming abolishment of Britain's blasphemy laws. While the archbishops, Dr Rowan Williams and Dr John Sentamu say they won't oppose abolishment, they are "concerned" about the meaning and timing of the move.
"[The archbishops] say the government needs to be clear as to precisely why the offence is being scrapped. They argue that it should not be seen as a "secularising move" or as a general licence to attack or insult religious beliefs and believers. They say it is still too early to be sure how the new offence of incitement to religious hatred, which applies to all faiths, will operate in practice and that laws which carry "a significant symbolic charge" should not be changed lightly."
These laws, while rarely invoked today, were once used to persecute Quakers, atheists, Unitarians, and other groups who threatened (or appeared to threaten) the Anglican Church's primacy in England. They belong in the dust-bin of history along with laws against "witchcraft".
Slate.com explores the history of the crotch-grab in Italy.
"It's the seat of fertility. The crotch grab goes back at least to the pre-Christian Roman era and is closely associated with another superstition called the "evil eye" - the belief that a covetous person can harm you, your children, or your possessions by gazing at you. Cultural anthropologists conjecture that men would try to block such pernicious beams by shielding their genitals, thus protecting their most valued asset: the future fruit of their loins. Over the centuries, the practice shifted. Men covered their generative organs not only to defend against direct malevolence but also in the presence of anything ominous, like a funeral procession."
The article also explains the ever-popular "corno" necklaces and the corna hand-sign (aka the "devil sign") in the same context.
Groundbreaking Gaelic film "Seachd: The Inaccessible Pinnacle" has finally acquired international distribution through Altadena Films.
"Young Films has secured a deal with Altadena Films, an international sales agent, to sell Gaelic feature film Seachd - The Inaccessible Pinnacle, around the world. Altadena will represent the film at the Berlin Film Festival then at markets and festivals around the world thereafter. For the international market the English title will be Seachd - The Crimson Snowdrop."
For those who can't wait that long, the DVD has been released in the UK, which means that Americans will need a region-free player to watch it. For my previous coverage of this film, click here.
Nobel Prize-winning Irish author Seamus Heaney has lashed out at the Irish government for their road construction through the sacred Tara Skreen valley (home of the Hill of Tara), calling it a "ruthless desecration".
"I think it literally desecrates an area - I mean the word means to de-sacralise and for centuries the Tara landscape and the Tara sites have been regarded as part of the sacred ground ... If ever there was a place that deserved to be preserved in the name of the dead generations from pre-historic times up to historic times up to completely recently, it was Tara ... Tara means something equivalent to me to what Delphi means to the Greeks or maybe Stonehenge to an English person or Nara in Japan, which is one of the most famous sites in the world..."
While it looks like nothing can stop road construction now, campaigners are still working to halt construction and limit further development in the area.
In a final note, The Hamilton Spectator reviews a new e-book by Neil Jamieson-Williams entitled "A Field Guide to Modern Pagans in Hamilton, Ontario", which resulted in an angry reply from the author over errors and "yellow journalism".
"Ms. Fragomeni made no attempt to contact me either by telephone or email to inform me of when the article would be printed - in all probability, she boldly lied to me in our last phone call, knowing full well that the article would be in the Saturday paper. The presentation my book and myself in the article was a smear campaign. No mention is made of the publishing company or where the book is available. Finally, it is clear to me that Ms. Fragomeni has, at best, only scanned portions of the book -- she has written an article about a book that she has not read."
Maybe there is such a thing as bad publicity? In any case, I suppose that should be a warning to be careful where you send promotional copies.
That is all I have for now, have a good day!
Labels: books, Church of England, crotch-grabbing, discrimination, Hill of Tara, Italy, movies, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Seachd: The Inaccessible Pinnacle, Seamus Heaney, UK, Wicca, Witchcraft
12.05.2007
Pagan Interviews of Note
Religious blogger and academic John Morehead has recently posted two interviews of interest to the larger Pagan community. The first is at his Theofantastique blog where he interviews Pagan author, academic, and movie critic Peg Aloi concerning Pagan and occult themes in film, and her forthcoming book (co-authored with Hannah Johnston) "The Celluloid Bough: Cinema in the Wake of the Occult Revival".
"...the first example of occult cinema that had widespread and culture-changing impact was Roman Polanski's 1968 film Rosemary's Baby. In addition to its being a very artful and entertaining film, based on an equally artful novel by Ira Levin, there were some real-life occurrences that added to its aura of evil, and fueled a widespread spirit of protest against all things occult, even as the film ushered in a palpable fascination with the occult."
Then back at his primary blog, Morehead's Musings, he interviews Aloi's collaborator and writing partner Hannah Johnston, Adjunct Professor in Visual and Media Arts at Emerson College, concerning teen Witches and a recently released collection of essays on the subject (co-edited with Peg Aloi) entitled "The New Generation Witches: Teenage Witchcraft in Contemporary Culture".
"...having become aware of the distinctions between teenage Witchcraft and the adult Pagan/Wiccan/Witchcraft communities at the end of the 1990s, I was struck by the emergence of teen Witchcraft as a distinctive articulation of popular culture post-feminism, and I went on to pursue my doctorate in the field, investigating teen Witchcraft as an amalgamation of new religious structures, pop media poaching from alternative beliefs and new age practices and new feminist concepts of 'girl power'."
Both interviews (and books) are worth the effort to read. It is often the case that pop-culture and youth-oriented permutations of a religious movement are devalued by "insiders" and older demographics who see these representations and recent adherents as lacking in seriousness or real worth. But how we are displayed in popular media, and how the next generation of modern Pagans adapt and changes with the times are truly important topics that I'm glad writers like Aloi and Johnston are covering.
Labels: books, Hannah Johnston, John Morehead, movies, Peg Aloi, pop-culture, teens, Wicca, Witch
12.01.2007
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
Raymond Ibrahim, editor of "The Al Qaeda Reader", discusses the new movie "Beowulf" in The National Review, and complains about Hollywood's pro-pagan and anti-Christian stance.
"By now, the oft-recurring negative portrayals of Christianity in major Hollywood movies have become hackneyed and predictable. The recent rendition of Beowulf only reinforced this trend. The same subtle depictions and motifs present in movies from decades past were once again present, a favorite being the attempt to try to depict pagans as "open-minded" and "free-spirited" peoples, or, quite anachronistically, as medieval counterparts to the modern, secular, liberal. The idea being that pagan peoples - unencumbered by the suffocating forces of Christianity - were/are happy, passionate folk, able to live life to the fullest."
To prove his point he cherry-picks a handful of pro-Pagan (and pro-Muslim) films spanning several years (including "Excalibur" and "The 13th Warrior"). But his argument falls apart when you stack up the recent number of Christian-positive films ("Evan Almighty", "Amazing Grace", "The Chronicles of Narnia", "The Passion of the Christ", and "Millions") against his "pro-pagan" selections. If Hollywood has an idealogical stance, it is whatever stance that will make them the most money.
Aspen, the famous skiing resort, is suffering from a lack of snow, so this year (like last year) they are calling on some extra help to get the flakes started.
"In Aspen some locals are praying to the Norse ski god Ullr in hopes of bringing some of the white stuff. Last year Whistler-Blackcomb did it and they had the most snow they've had in many years. And this year they are off to a great start. Danny Brown, one of those who has lit fires in Aspen, told the Aspen Daily News it is a way to pool energy and draw snow. One of the largest Ullr fires in recent memory was created last week by Brown and three other locals. It was an all-day and most-of-the-night ritual that brought together a small group of ski bums for some good times and laughter, and plenty of collective wishing for the element that truly binds them -- snow."
Will they get better results than Georgia's Governor?
Do they know it's Christmas time at all? That is the question posed to the Pagan-friendly Unitarian Universalists in South Carolina.
"Unitarian Universalists often are asked at this time of year whether we celebrate Christmas - which we do. The next question is always, "Why?" ... Christmas offers Unitarian Universalists an opportunity to celebrate with customs and meanings derived from many faith traditions. No one knows the actual date of the birth of Jesus, but the time just after the winter solstice was originally chosen to coincide with pagan celebrations of the return of the sun and, with it, the promise of renewal of the days of warmth and light that follow. Earth-centered traditions such as Wicca and American Indian spirituality also honor the solstice, as does the Hindu festival of light and in some respects, the minor Jewish festival of Hanukkah."
So the answer is "yes", but not in the way you are thinking.
Santa: Christian or Pagan? The Chicago Tribune asks the experts!
"Many anthropologist types see Santa as a modern descendant of Thor, the avuncular, bearded pagan god of thunder who soared through the air in a goat-drawn chariot from his home in the north and swooped down chimneys toward his favorite element: fire. So Santa must be pagan, right? Not so fast. Many others believe Santa was inspired by the 4th Century bishop Nicholas of Myra, the youngest bishop in the history of Christianity. The son of a wealthy merchant, his generosity and soft spot for children earned him sainthood. His memory came alive every year when he delivered presents on the eve of his feast day on Dec. 6. So Santa is a Catholic or Orthodox Christian?"
The ultimate answer? That in America he, like many Americans, came from Protestants but is now thoroughly secular in nature.
A New York school principal who was accused of using school funds and resources to hire a Santera, has agreed to step down from her position.
"A New York school principal has admitted using city funds to pay for a Santeria ritual at the school. Maritza Tamayo, in a settlement with the board of education, agreed to accept a demotion to teacher for the rest of the school year, The New York Post reported. She would then resign next summer."
Perhaps the ritual to remove "negative energy" worked in ways she didn't expect.
In a final note, today is World AIDS Day, and two Pagan bloggers have already posted commentary in honor of the day. The Pagan Prattle reports on the pernicious "cures" being spread by con-men. While many of these come from the developing nations, Homeopaths in London are spreading dangerous misinformation too.
"...the Society of Homeopaths are holding a conference in London next week featuring the work of Peter Chappell, who also claims he can make an immediate impact on the Aids epidemic using music encoded with his Aids remedies. "Right now," he says, "Aids in Africa could be significantly ameliorated by a simple tune played on the radio." Damningly, contemptibly, not one single person from the homeopathy community has spoken out to criticise this lunacy."
Meanwhile, Hrafnkell at A Heathen's Day looks at President Bush's over-reliance on Christian religion to "solve" the global AIDS crisis.
"I think this is outrageous. It's fine for Bush to have his religion and to practice it, and to believe in whatever God he wants. But to tell us followers of one particular deity are the key to victory in anything is to take an official, not a private, stand on religion, and that is a violation of the separation of church and state. He wants to throw money at these "faith-based" groups - Christians all."
The World AIDS Day site has some suggestions on how to spread awareness of HIV and AIDS on this day. Worried about past sexual and drug-related activities and haven't been tested? Why not find the nearest testing resources.
That is all I have for now, have a great day.
Labels: AIDS, Asatru, Aspen, Christianity, movies, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Santa Claus, Santeria, Unitarian-Universalism
11.27.2007
Updates on Past Stories
My Chemical Wedding: "Chemical Wedding", the film about Aleister Crowley written by Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson, has finished shooting and is now in post-production.
"...principal photography on Chemical Wedding, which was written by Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson and directed by Julian Doyle, has completed and the film is now in post ... Simon Callow stars as a stuttering, shy professor who accidentally reanimates the spirit of famed Satanist Aelister Crowley, dubbed "The most evil man in Britain", transforming into a charismatic, but seriously depraved, reincarnation of Crowley. He wreaks havoc among the students of the Cambridge campus he works for."
Judging by the poster, I dare say that "havoc" may include some gratuitous nudity (perhaps even inside an inverted pentacle). Not that Crowley, ever a lover of controversy, would necessarily disapprove (though considering Crowley's open bisexuality, one hopes it is equal-opportunity nudity).
As for the quality of the finished picture, we'll have to wait and see. Who knows? Perhaps Aleister Crowley will become a new cinematic villain/antihero spawning scores of "Chemical Wedding" sequels. For my original post of this project, click here.
The Cave of Romulus: It looks like Cambridge classics professor Mary Beard isn't the only one skeptical about the veracity of a site in Italy that some are claiming to be the Cave of Romulus (aka the Lupercal). Adriano La Regina, Rome's superintendent of archeology from 1976 to 2004, says he is certain that this grotto isn't the site of the mythical founder's cave.
"La Regina ... said ancient descriptions of the place suggest the Lupercale is elsewhere - 50 to 70 metres northwest of the cave discovered near Emperor Augustus' palace. "I am positive this is not the Lupercale," Mr La Regina told Reuters in an interview. Instead, he believes the cave - which ministry pictures show is decorated with well-preserved seashells and coloured mosaics - was a room in Nero's first palace on the Palatine Hill, which burnt down in 64 AD in the great fire of Rome."
Interior view of the grotto.
La Regina was also quoted as saying that this is still an important find, even if it isn't the Lupercal, due to the well-preserved state of the site (which he believes was a nymphaeum used to entertain guests). No word yet from the Italian Culture Ministry, who said they were "reasonably certain" this was the Lupercal. You can read my original post on this subject, here.
Labels: Aleister Crowley, Chemical Wedding, Italy, Lupercal, movies, Rome, Romulus
11.24.2007
A Gift-Guide For the Pagan in Your Life (Part 2)
Continued from yesterday, this is a round-up of gift suggestions for the Pagan or Heathen in your life. Just in time for all the Winter Festivals!
Video: There are plenty of good choices out on DVD right now for the polytheisticly inclined. With a wide range to please even the most picky Pagan. We'll Start with a favorite of mine, "Robin of Sherwood". This British television series from the 1980s, featuring a Pagan Robin Hood, is a cult favorite and has been repackaged this year at a lower price (you had to pay import prices before). The show is packaged into two sets, split by who was playing Robin Hood at the time. Another television series that is quickly becoming a favorite among Pagans is HBO's "Rome". This epic show with a huge budget (which ultimately became its downfall) featured one of the most realistic portrayals of religion during the Roman empire (even if the history itself was quite off at times). The previous price-points for seasons one and two had been quite high, but Amazon has slashed prices by 60%, making their purchase far easier.
Turning from television shows to movies, the obvious first choice for the Pagan cinefile would be the two-disc platinum edition of Guillermo del Toro's masterful "Pan's Labyrinth". A dark fairy-tale with no filters, it is sure to shock (and delight) anyone looking for a quality film (read my review). Being that I'm a huge fan of "The Wicker Man", I recommend getting a copy for your Pagan loved one (if they don't already own one), just be sure it includes the superior "extended cut", not just the garbled theatrical release. Other films worth looking into are "Beowulf & Grendel" (especially if you prefer a live-action Beowulf to a rubbery CGI creation), the excellent documentary "Ile Aiye (The House of Life)" (a David Byrne-directed film about Candomble), and the surprisingly decent documentary about Aleister Crowley entitled "In Search of the Great Beast: 666".
Finally, for the Pagan who has everything, give them the gift of the worst Pagan-themed movie ever made. The re-make of "The Wicker Man" starring Nicolas Cage. Snag an used "unrated" version for just over a dollar, then head over to RiffTrax and purchase an audio accompaniment produced by Mike Nelson of MST3K fame. Then sit back and watch the best (unintentional) Pagan comedy ever produced.
Music: This has been a great year for Pagan music, and since many Pagans are huge music fans it should be easier than ever to stuff their stockings with quality releases from the past year. For the Hellenist in your life (or anyone who enjoys amazing music inspired by Greek antiquity), check out Daemonia Nymphe's "Krataia Asterope". If you prefer something a little more Eastern-European in scope, The Moon and The NightSpirit's "Rego Rejtem" (from Hungary) is an energetic folksy tribute to the old gods. Looking for something a bit more universal in scope? Monica Richards' "InfraWarrior" is everything you could hope for in a Pagan-friendly record, while Italy's Ataraxia explores a Robert Graves-ian vision of Pagan initiation in "Kremasta Nera". The Netherlands' own Omnia brings more "Pagan folk" on "Alive!", while their friends in Faun produce a more ethereal and haunting sound on "Totem".
Finally, for the more rock-oriented, the font of modern Pagan rock Inkubus Sukkubus has a new album out entited "Science and Nature". Ever-consistent (perhaps to a fault), it is sure to please fans of their past albums. For even more music gift-giving ideas check out my "A Darker Shade of Pagan" site, or my new music blog "A Sweeping Curve of Sound".
I'll end my guide here. I'm not knowledgeable enough in Tarot decks to give proper recommendations, and I'm assuming that everyone knows that candles, and (good) incense are almost always welcome gifts. So good luck with your gift-hunt! As yesterday, I encourage my readers to chime in and give their own gift suggestions.
Labels: gift guide 2007, movies, music, Paganism, Television
8.06.2007
Pagan-Friendly Films
Time for a quick look at upcoming films that may appeal to a Pagan/occult audience.
Those of us who are fans of "The Wicker Man" (the original of course, not that abomination starring Nicolas Cage) should be pleased to learn that Robin Hardy (who directed the original film) is planning to start filming "Cowboys For Christ" (a sort-of sequel/re-imagining of "The Wicker Man") in September.
"That long-awaited "Wicker Man" re-imagining - same story, different backdrop - is finally (this thing has been a long time coming) about to get underway. "Cowboys for Christ", from writer/director Robin Hardy (the chap that brought us the original "Wicker Man" - not the mind numbing remake), has set itself a September 10 start date. Its booked locales in Scotland and Texas to shoot. Starring Christopher Lee and Faye Dunaway, the film tells of a Christian singing star and her chaste fiance, a Texas cowboy, who travel to Scotland for a music festival that is merely the curtain-raiser for a horrific pagan ritual of sacrifice and murder, and it's uncertain if the power of the Americans' Christian faith will be strong enough to survive the assault of the pagans."
They are still looking to cast the leads (the Christian couple), so if you can sing very well, know how to ride a horse, and can convincingly fake a Texas accent, why not audition?
The film "Stardust" (adapted from a novel by Neil Gaiman) is opening in theatres on August 10th. Considering a good part of the story is set in the lands of Faerie, and with Michelle Pfeiffer playing the evil witch Lamia this is sure to be a treat! Plus the trailer looks quite fun.
No word yet if Tori Amos will be the voice of a red-leafed talking tree that Gaiman based on the singer-songwriters.
In October you have the film adaptation of the beloved (and pagan-friendly) young-adults novel "The Dark Is Rising", but as mentioned previously on this blog, there are some serious fears that the movie has been "sanitized" of all the great pagan content. Some fans of the books are not happy at all with the announced changes.
"I am spitting chips and blood. I am crackling with furious static. Any minute now, small pieces of paper, coins and pens are going to drag themselves across the tabletop, bent and pulled towards me by the immense, bending-the-laws-of-physics fury I'm experiencing right now."
I guess we can only wait to see how much damage has been done to this classic.
Also of interest is the November release of "Beowulf". With a screenplay partially written by Neil Gaiman and directed by Robert Zemeckis, this film adaptation of the ancient English epic mixes live action with heavy computer animation to give it a unique look/feel. You can watch a teaser trailer for the film, here. I have no idea how "pagan" this adaptation will be (unlike the recent "Beowulf and Grendel" which was chock-full of pre-Christian elements), but the cast is certainly an interesting mix.
Finally, in December we will see the film adaptation of Philip Pullman's novel "The Golden Compass", part of his highly acclaimed "His Dark Materials" trilogy.
Due to the Gnostic themes within the novels, some have labeled it the "anti-Narnia". But fans have been worrying for some time now over the removal of religious themes to be replaced with a anti-fascist/control storyline. But the trailer itself looks exciting, plus, witches!
That is all I have for now, see you at the movies!
Labels: Beowulf, Cowboys For Christ, gnosticism, His Dark Materials, movies, Paganism, Stardust, The Dark is Rising, The Golden Compass