Agustí Villaronga | 1989 | Spain | 118' | English subs

This is an otherworldly, totally forgotten, surreal movie which because of its weird, energetic, post-realistic scenario and off-kilter moods, some critics compare to Alejandro Jodorowsky during his 70s period (El Topo and The Holy Mountain). It is equal parts sci-fi, fantasy, social commentary and allegory - with supernatural elements mixed into the trip. It feels like a lucid dream - both realistic and hallucinatory at the same time.

The story centers on a young boy who is being kept in a militaristic orwellian research laboratory that is in a remote location somewhere in Europe. Here orphaned children are being kept and experimented upon to test their telepathic skills. The fortress is being run by elite occultists who treat the children like lab rats, with the aim to create a Moon Child with special powers. This is what links this trippy movie to an infamous 1923 novel of the same name by the occultist Aleister Crowley. The film is about magic - but it is also shot in a magical way, exploring themes of faith and revelation. Although there is a solid story that works as a thriller, actually the film operates on other frequencies. It's a deeply atmospheric film...  a plunge into sensations and emotions and strange worlds.

It is directed by the off-beat Agustí Villaronga, who has been concocting bizarre visions on the cinematic fringe of Spain for decades, often receiving huge awards for his small low-budget films. He is an enigmatic, almost totally unknown figure outside Spain. The cinematography is vivid, and combined with the imaginative sets, makes the journey visually stunning. The soundtrack is somewhat legendary since it is an original music score by the popular darkwave band Dead Can Dance. It is a moody ambient score, and the singer of the band Lisa Gerrard actually has an acting role in the film. For those who are looking for alternatives, this esoteric flick enters territories rarely charted in cinema.