Fando y Lis
Fando y Lis | |
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Directed by | Alejandro Jodorowsky |
Written by | Alejandro Jodorowsky |
Based on | A play by Fernando Arrabal[2] |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography |
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Edited by | Fernando Suarez[2] |
Music by |
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Production company | Producciones Pánicas[1] |
Release dates |
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Running time | 97 minutes |
Country | Mexico[1] |
Language | Spanish |
Fando y Lis is a 1968 Mexican film directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky in his feature length directorial debut. It is an adaptation of a 1962 play of the same name by Fernando Arrabal, who was working with Jodorowsky on performance art at the time. The film was shot in high-contrast black-and-white on the weekends with a small budget and was first shown at the Acapulco Film Festival in 1968. Fando y Lis stars Sergio Kleiner and Diana Mariscal as the titular pair who embark on a surreal quest in search of Tar, a mythical heaven-like place.
Plot[edit]
The film follows Fando (Sergio Klainer) and his paraplegic girlfriend Lis (Diana Mariscal) through a barren, postapocalyptic wasteland in search of the mythical city of Tar, a place where one will know the true nature of eternity, and reach enlightenment. On their journey they see many odd and profoundly disturbing characters and events.
The narrative of the film leaves a lot to the audience's interpretation, as the avant-garde and surreal nature in which the events of the film are presented mimic the workings of the subconscious.
Release[edit]
Fando y Lis premiered at the 1968 Acapulco Film Festival.[3] A full-scale riot subsequently broke out, leading to the film being banned in Mexico.[4] Fando y Lis was shown in New York 's 5th Avenue Cinema where it was dubbed, re-edited and cut by 13 minutes. It was shown in London in February 1971, re-titled as Tar Babies, running 98 minutes. It was not released in Mexico until July 1972.[3]
Fando y Lis has received a 4K digital restoration and is set to be re-released in UK cinemas by Abkco Films for a limited time commencing on February 7, 2020.[citation needed]
Reception[edit]
Fando y Lis was released in New York City to generally negative reviews, with many critics comparing it unfavorably to Fellini Satyricon, which had recently opened.[4][3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Information". British Film Institute. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Curti, Roberto (2020). "Credits". Alejandro Jodorowsky (Booklet). Arrow Video. p. 7. FCD1932.
- ^ a b c Blackford, James; Curti, Roberto (2020). "Credits". Original Reviews (Booklet). Arrow Video. p. 67. FCD1932.
- ^ a b Rosenbaum, 1992. pp.92–93
- Bibliography
- Rosenbaum, Jonathan (1991). Midnight movies. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-80433-6.
External links[edit]
- Fando y Lis at IMDb
- Fando y Lis at AllMovie
- 1968 films
- Spanish-language films
- 1960s avant-garde and experimental films
- Art works that caused riots
- Films about paraplegics or quadriplegics
- Films directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky
- Mexican black-and-white films
- Mexican films
- Mexican films based on plays
- 1960s Spanish-language films
- Surrealist films
- 1968 directorial debut films
- Film controversies
- 1960s Mexican film stubs