| Endless Poetry | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Alejandro Jodorowsky |
| Written by | Alejandro Jodorowsky |
| Produced by | Xavier Guerrero |
| Starring | Brontis Jodorowsky |
| Cinematography | Christopher Doyle |
Release date |
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Running time | 128 minutes |
| Countries | Chile France |
| Language | Spanish |
Endless Poetry (Spanish: Poesía sin fin) is a 2016 French-Chilean drama film directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky. It was screened in the Directors' Fortnight section at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.[1][2]
Alejandro Jodorowsky, now living in Santiago, Chile and working at his father's store, rejects the pressuring of his Jewish family to enter medical school and instead pursues a career as a poet. Through his creation of puppets he makes contact with a man who gives him a studio as his first residence. In this new life he encounters artists, poets and performers both notable and amateur, among them Nicanor Parra, whom he insults during a misunderstanding about Stella Díaz Varín, the woman who inspired his poem "The Viper".
His best friend and fellow poet Enrique Lihn has a fight with his girlfriend, whom Alejandro saves from committing suicide. They have sex and she becomes pregnant. An elderly man who used to work in a circus with Alejandro's father Jaime encourages Alejandro to return to the circus, which he does as a means to laugh away his troubles. Enrique and Alejandro later reconcile.
Alejandro's parents notify him that their home has burned down along with all of his writings and childhood possessions. He visits his home to say goodbye to his childhood and contemplate what he wishes to be. He visits Parra, who is teaching mathematics at an engineering school, to ask him for fatherly advice about his future. Parra urges him not to pursue a career as a poet but Alejandro ignores him and refuses to compromise.
When a strong pro-Ibáñez sentiment arises in Chile during his second period in office Alejandro decides to leave for Paris to "save surrealism." His father catches him at the dock before he leaves and attempts to drag him back into working at the store with him by force. Alejandro overpowers him and departs, never to see his father again.
This film currently holds a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Owen Gleiberman from Variety Film Reviews wrote: "Alejandro Jodorowsky's Endless Poetry is the most accessible movie he has ever made, and it may also be the best. It's Felliniesque and moving."[3]
