Born of Fire + Truth and Illusion: An Introduction to Metaphysics
King Vidor’s essay film Truth and Illusion surprisingly explores consciousness, serving as a key to his work. It reinforces his recurring theme that reality is a mental construct formed by sheer will, a concept seen in films like The Fountainhead and An American Romance. This radical individualism is consistently balanced by the importance of the social contract, a contrast that is compelling, even if occasionally incoherent. The film blends Neoplatonism with Vidor’s unique Christian Science-infused voluntarism and American individualism, functioning as a primer for his filmography. Its rich visuals even recall 80s/90s Godard essays. It’s an absolutely genius demonstration of metaphysical ideas and their link to the filmic medium. While mind dictates experience, it doesn’t negate the significance of what we observe.
Watch here.
Our feature is Born of Fire by Jamil Dehlavi. This distinct and perplexing cinematic work presents an unusual synthesis of avant-garde filmmaking (evoking Garrel and Ruiz) and the aesthetic sensibilities of 1990s PC adventure games, interspersed with elements of 1980s and 1990s genre television. While the Muslim religious mysticism (involving Djinn, "The Master" in a Turkish cave, and the planet's eventual destruction by the sun) proves challenging to fully comprehend, the film remains a visually spectacular and singular experience. The narrative follows a flautist who, motivated by his dying mother and an enigmatic woman, embarks on a quest for the Master. This journey involves encounters with a strange cleric, his own half-brother, and a fiery-eyed, flute-playing demigod in the Turkish mountains, all while he simultaneously grapples with the traumatic memory of his father's death by fire. The structure is inherently fragmented, frequently shifting locations and incorporating brief insect interludes. Despite its resistance to facile interpretation, director Jamil Dehlavi has produced a stunning, unique piece of art-house horror, culminating in an apocalyptic flute confrontation, distinguished by gorgeous cinematography and masterful performances.
Watch here.