Perdurabo (Where is Aleister Crowley?)
(Film, 44 min., 2003)
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"Perdurabo"
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Written and directed by Carlos Atanes.
Cast: Toni Arteaga, Neus Bernaus, Alejandra Soler, Raúl Mena, Marta Timón, Colombia, Florence Coulais, Jordi Vilavendrell, Agustín Gálvez, Pee-Wee.
Music by Xavier Tort.
In Mussolini's time, a mysterious man travels to Sicily in search of the famous British magician Aleister Crowley. But upon arriving, he discovers that Crowley has disappeared, and confusion and despair reign at the Abbey of Thelema (the abbey where his True Will is done). During his stay, he will learn the principles of Sex Magic and the Thelemic way of life.
"Perdurabo" remained hidden for twelve years by Carlos Atanes' own decision. Some time later, Atanes launched a new film project inspired by the magician: "Aleister Crowley in the Mouth of Hell." That film was never shot, but the script was published in paperback in 2013. However, over time, requests from viewers interested in seeing the 2003 production have continued. Now, finally, Atanes has decided to make it available to the public.
FILM REVIEWS
"Perdurabo exercises some creative decision-making throughout –not least by electing to film a story about Crowley without him in it, a gutsy decision which pays dividends. It’s also able to achieve an impressive amount of atmosphere, and the filmmaker’s knowledge of the key events and players is impressive. Parts of the dialogue are verbatim Thelemic ritual, and to hear them actually being spoken in the Cefalu farmhouse is actually very eerie; I’ll say it again, I don’t know how they managed to film there without at least some opposition from the Italian authorities, but let’s just say that Crowley’s grotesque painted frescos pay no respect to the fourth wall, and the overall effect is unsettling." (Keri O’Shea, Brutal as Hell).