The Experiencer
| The Experiencer | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Michael Kohler Brian Helweg-Larsen |
| Produced by | Michael Kohler |
| Written by | Michael Kohler Brian Helweg-Larsen |
| Edited by | Michael Kohler Brian Helweg-Larsen |
| Distributed by | Artist' Moving Image |
Release date |
|
Running time | 118 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
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The Experiencer is a 1977 British experimental surrealist film directed by Michael Kohler and Brian Helweg-Larsen. The film is without spoken dialogue.[1][2][3]
Plot[edit]
The Experiencer, a young man, awakens, dresses, and leaves for the day. While walking towards his destination, he watches a young boy being hit by a bus. He tries to help the boy, but simply cannot, so he continues on his way.
The Experiencer boards a subway train, where he is met with a strange feeling. As the feeling overwhelms him, he notices a woman in the underground and her dog, and he is compelled to follow them. The Experiencer follows the woman and her dog off the train to find the woman has disappeared, leaving the dog behind. He takes the dog by the leash and is lead away. The dog leads him away from the train, eventually leading him down a strange, rocky path. The Experiencer falls from the path.
Now completely naked, the Experiencer awakens to find himself in a cave. Dehydrated, the Experiencer stumbles around the cave looking for a way out. The Dark Monk finds him and gives him water to drink. He continues his journey, eventually finding a hole that leads to a jungle. Frightened by the sight, the Experiencer retreats back into the cave.
Stumbling further into the cave, he encounters others who are seemingly stuck in different parts of the cave. The first is medieval Catholic priests, who force their "worshippers" to partake in abusive rituals such as dancing with bagged heads and carrying the cross. The second is dancing creatures dressed as Elizabeth I and Philip II of Spain, who seem to both love and hate each other. The third is a couple, a hag and a comatose old man; while the hag can't seem to waken the old man, the Experiencer is able to awaken him by touching his lips and then placing his hand on the old man's lips.
The Experiencer eventually finds another exit that leads to a lake. While swimming in the lake, he sees visions of a woman, the Ocean Mother, breastfeeding. The visions fill him with a sense of peace.
Eventually, the lake leads the Experiencer to a snowy mountain, where he is greeted by the White Master Monk, a man in a white mask and robe. The Master Monk leads the Experiencer to the top of the mountain, where the Experiencer finds a temple with other similarly dressed men. The Experiencer is initiated into the group of masked men and is gifted a bident. He then travels further into the mountain to find a blacksmith, who adds another prong to the staff in exchange for labor from the Experiencer. He then retreats to meditate.
With all that he has learned, the Experiencer travels back into the cave to face the priests he encountered earlier. He attempts to put a stop to their abusive rituals but is captured by the priests, who plan to crucify him. Using all his strength, the Experiencer is able to magically ascend from the cave. Finally free of the cave, the Experiencer dances joyfully as he watches the sunset.
Cast[edit]
- Brian Helweg-Larsen as The Experiencer
- Chris Rachlin as Injured boy
- Noel Witheford as Woman in Underground
- Toby as Dog
- Mike Connolly as Dark Monk
- Penni Allen as Elizabeth I Like Creature
- Brian Thorne as Philip II Like Creature
- Anita Seal as Hag
- Frank Coles as Old Man
- Patsie Sipton as Ocean Mother
- Tim Brown as White Master Monk
- Ivor Liscombe as Blacksmith
Production[edit]
The film was made over a seven-year period and was filmed across the globe, in places including Menorca, the Bahamas, the Dolomites, and the Cairngorms.[4]
Release[edit]
The film was released in 1977 by Artists' Moving Image. The film has never been released on any home media.[5]
References[edit]
- ↑ "The Experiencer (1977)". British Film Institute. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- ↑ "The Experiencer (1977)". Letterboxd. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- ↑ "The Experiencer (1977)". IMDb. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ↑ "The Experiencer - 1977". Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- ↑ "The Experiencer (1977)". British Film Institute. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
External links[edit]
- The Experiencer at the British Film Institute
- The Experiencer on IMDb Search this movie on
- The Experiencer (Full Movie) on Youtube on YouTube
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