The Hermetic Film Festival returns to enchant audiences from December 27 to 29, 2024, with a mesmerizing showcase of esoteric cinema. This year’s lineup features a diverse array of films, including philosophical dramas, surreal experiments, and spiritual documentaries from around the world, each exploring the profound mysteries of life, death, and the unknown.
Competition
…until after… (Poland, 2023)
This philosophical drama follows a woman who struggles to cope with the grief of losing a loved one. Abandoned by external support, she embarks on a personal journey to gather the necessary elements to reunite with her deceased partner. The film explores themes of loss, isolation, and the quest for healing and reconnection.
Director/Writer: Marcin Makara
Duration: 18 minutes
Language: Polish
The Myth of Death (United Kingdom, 2024)
A documentary aiming to demystify and reduce the fear of death, “The Myth of Death” presents a historical panorama of death, dying, and rebirth from a variety of cultural perspectives. It challenges the materialistic view that death leads to oblivion, instead proposing that consciousness survives the death of the physical body. The film discusses evolving attitudes toward death, particularly among those who believe in rebirth.
Director/Writer/Producer: Timothy Wyatt
Duration: 44 minutes
Language: English
Alchemy in Hyde Park (United States, 2019)
This esoteric drama follows four friends — Mira, Rumi, Franco, and Louise — living in Hyde Park, Chicago. Over the course of seven days, the film explores their relationships, personal growth, and healing from past traumas. The neighborhood itself becomes a fifth character, symbolizing the backdrop for their struggles and self-discovery.
Director/Writer/Producer: Robert Beshara
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Language: English, French
Ans and the Universe (Netherlands, 2023)
This documentary explores the extraordinary life of Ans Hoornweg, an 80-year-old spiritual medium who claims to be an incarnated alien from the planet Laborax. The film captures her life and experiences with extraterrestrial beings, including her interstellar travels and communication with alien entities. It also delves into her online presence, where she shares her cosmic wisdom and critiques humanity’s treatment of Earth, as well as her role as an outsider in her own community.
Directors: Noelle Ingeveldt, Juriaan van Berkel
Duration: 47 minutes
Language: Dutch
City of Mermaids (Italy, 2024)
This documentary explores the lives of the Femminielli, a unique figure in Neapolitan culture, who embody a duality of gender, living as both women and men. The Femminielli are deeply integrated into the social and spiritual fabric of Naples, representing a sacred and religious point of reference for many in the community. The film examines how, despite evolving societal models, the Femminielli maintain their role in both sacred and secular traditions, providing a reflection on gender identity and cultural survival.
Director/Writer: Andrea Fortis
Duration: 1 hour 16 minutes
Language: Italian
Concrete (United States, 2024)
In an alternate version of 20th-century America, all citizens are implanted with government-issued neurological devices to prevent their heads from exploding. When Arkady, a man caring for his sick mother, has his implant removed by an unknown assailant, his perception of reality begins to unravel. The short film follows Arkady’s desperate search for answers as his world collapses.
Director/Writer: Eli Vidis Newman
Key Cast: Ed Harris, Sophia Ali, Frankie Quinones, Henry Fulton Winship
Duration: 15 minutes 44 seconds
Language: English
Divine-Spark (Brazil, 2023)
This documentary follows Francisco, a 71-year-old bricklayer who seeks deeper understanding and answers through spirituality, philosophy, and quantum physics. The film explores his personal journey of seeking meaning and connecting his lived experience with these complex fields of thought.
Director: Melquior Brito de Morais
Key Cast: Francisco das Chagas dos Santos
Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
Language: Portuguese
Dweller (United States, 2024)
This documentary recounts the experiences of paranormal investigators who encounter a mysterious entity known as the “Dweller on the Threshold.” The film delves into their investigation and exploration of strange phenomena, offering insight into the eerie and unexplained occurrences they document.
Director: Ben Goldman
Duration: 45 minutes
Language: English
Fire in Quibayo (Venezuela, 2023)
This documentary captures the vibrant and spiritual celebration of the Dance in Candela, which takes place every October 12 in the Quibayo sector, located in the Cerro María Lionza Natural Monument in Yaracuy State. Hundreds of dancers jump over burning embers to pay tribute to Queen María Lionza, an important figure in Venezuelan indigenous culture. The film explores this tradition, attracting people from across the globe to participate in this sacred ritual of resistance and reverence.
Director/Writer/Producer: Luis Sotillo
Duration: 8 minutes 25 seconds
Language: Spanish
Gabriel: The Hole Runs After the Rabbit (South Africa, 2024)
This short film follows a man, Gabriel, as he seeks relaxation and mental clarity at a new-age health spa. However, as the story unfolds, Gabriel starts questioning whether he has already experienced this situation before. The film explores themes of existential reflection, repetitiveness, and personal discovery.
Directors/Writers: Adriaan de la Rey, Jaco van der Merwe
Key Cast: Gabriel Marchand, Phomolo Sekamotho, Jaco van der Merwe
Duration: 20 minutes 57 seconds
Language: English
Ghosts Moving Flowers and Physical Mediumship (United Kingdom, 2024)
This documentary, directed by Karl Fallon, explores the phenomena of Physical Mediumship, where spirit entities allegedly interact with the physical world. Patrick McNamara, a modern-day physical medium, leads Psychic Circles in reputedly haunted locations in the UK and Ireland. The documentary captures the extraordinary moment when spirits move flowers in the hands of sitters, showcasing the phenomenon and the testimonies of those who experience it.
Director: Karl Fallon
Key Cast: Patrick McNamara
Duration: 1 hour
Language: English
Gizmo (Mexico, 2024)
A black comedy disguised as a police procedural, Gizmo follows the investigation of a young woman’s disappearance in a natural park and the strange death of a police chief. As the investigation unravels, the film delves into a paranoid plot possibly involving supernatural elements, all while the film’s anti-hero, a dysfunctional police officer, tries to avoid responsibility and maintain his own sanity. The film blends absurd humor with detective fiction in a surreal Mexican context.
Director: Everardo Felipe Garcia
Key Cast: Julian Herbert
Writer: Eduardo Padilla Gutierrez
Duration: 1 hour 17 minutes
Language: Spanish
How To Escape A Cult (United States, 2023)
This experimental short music video follows Tito Strange, a musician, as he becomes involved in a mysterious and psychedelic cult. He undergoes a series of dark rituals, including blood sacrifices and money burning. The cult’s enigmatic ways unfold as Tito faces his own inner demons during a fire dance led by a mystical mage. This intense journey leads him to a fight for his life, blending horror, sci-fi, and music in a visually striking narrative.
Director/Writer: Christian Antonio Salinas
Key Cast: Tito Strange, Dominic Baker, Raquel Zamora
Duration: 9 minutes 21 seconds
Language: English
Illuminatus! (United States, 2024)
In this animated short, a young reporter joins a mad genius and his anarchist followers aboard a giant yellow submarine. Together, they set out to thwart the Illuminati’s evil plans, which take them to the underwater city of Atlantis. The film is a satirical, high-weirdness journey filled with fantasy and absurdities, bringing the classic Illuminatus! book by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson to life in a surreal animation style.
Director: Chris Kalis
Key Cast: Alex Cox, Jon Glaser, Gregg Turkington
Writers: Robert Shea, Robert Anton Wilson
Duration: 9 minutes 54 seconds
Language: English
Myth of the Cave (United Kingdom, 2024)
This short animated film tells the story of a child entering a cave to complete a sacred ritual, only to be confronted by the shadows that lurk within. The film explores themes of facing one’s fears and confronting inner darkness, drawing inspiration from mythological and psychological narratives. It uses visually compelling animation to bring this allegorical tale to life in a brief yet impactful manner.
Director/Producer/Animator: Corin Astles
Duration: 3 minutes 40 seconds
Language: No spoken language
Rosso Veneziano (Italy, 2023)
This documentary-experimental short follows young twins Leo and Lea, who are haunted by spirits in their family home in Venice. They embark on a journey to uncover the mystical history of the location, exploring the supernatural and cultural significance of La Laguna. Through their quest, they delve into the eerie past of Venice and the mysteries that bind it.
Director/Producer: Baldassarra Anne Franchetti
Key Cast: Leonardo Ferrari Dubois, Lea Violetta Ferrari Dubois
Duration: 24 minutes 45 seconds
Language: Italian
Shadow Flame, Shadow Gold; Winds of the West (United States, 2024)
This experimental short music video explores the intersection of shadow and flame through the transformative figure of a feline, moving in a dance with its own shadow. Set in an ancient cavern, the imagery combines the movement of the dancer and the acoustics of the vocalist to create a sensory chiaroscuro. The fire illuminates the dark underworld, drawing attention to the interplay between light, shadow, and sound, evoking a deep connection between the natural and spiritual worlds.
Directors: Mary Carol Hill, Chuck Shanlever, Carol Johnson
Key Cast: Carol Johnson, Mary Carol Hill
Duration: 6 minutes 27 seconds
Language: English
So Below (Canada, 2024)
A contemporary documentary reflection on the utopian poetics of Charles Fourier, this film uses a multi-format cinematic approach to explore his philosophical ideas within local, regional, global, and cosmic contexts. The film examines Fourier’s vision for social harmony and contrasts it with the modern world, questioning human potential through a poetic and philosophical lens.
Director/Producer: Jeff Carter
Key Cast: Hrothgar Matthews
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Language: English
Sri Ramanujar (India, 2024)
This biographical drama focuses on the life of Ramanuja, an 11th-century philosopher and spiritual reformer who challenged social norms and religious orthodoxy in India. Born into a Brahmin family, Ramanuja questioned the caste system and the exclusive nature of religious knowledge. His journey led him to spread the teachings of bhakti (devotion) and the accessibility of God’s grace to all, regardless of social status. The film highlights his philosophical insights and his contributions to reforming Hinduism, with a focus on his doctrine of Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism). The film also portrays his significant impact on the Bhakti movement and his enduring legacy.
Director/Writer: Ravi V Chandar
Key Cast: KRISHHNAN Thirumalai
Duration: 2 hours
Language: Tamil
Surviving the Witch (France, 2024)
A green filmmaker travels to an island paradise to create an ethno-ecological documentary. However, the spirits of the island have their own agenda, and things quickly spiral out of control. This docu-fable reflects on humanity’s lack of vision and the consequences of tampering with forces beyond our understanding. It serves as a meditation on ecological and spiritual wisdom, questioning human exploitation of nature.
Director/Writer/Producer: Eric Connor
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes 10 seconds
Language: English, Other
Tales of a Space Pirate Coming from the Moon (United Kingdom, 2024)
This biographical documentary tells the story of Daniela, a pirate woman with a magical lens through which she views the world. The film combines her stories, visions, and dreams to explore the supernatural forces that have shaped her life, offering a glimpse into her unique identity and experiences. The documentary reveals how the mystical has influenced her journey, hinting at the deeper truths of who she truly is.
Director/Writer/Producer: Valentina D’Annunzio
Key Cast: Daniela Farinato
Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes
Languages: English, Italian
Tears of Blood (Germany, 2023)
Set in medieval Europe, Tears of Blood follows a knight and a priest as they investigate the disappearance of a young girl, only to uncover a masked cult responsible for her vanishing. This dark fantasy mystery explores themes of religion, power, and the hidden forces at play in medieval society. The characters face both internal and external battles in their quest for justice.
Director/Writer: Joshua Clay
Key Cast: Sinan El-Sayed, Joshua Clay, Viviane Clay, Nicola Pedrozzi, Sophie Scholleck, Jürgen Buscher
Duration: 1 hour 27 minutes 40 seconds
Language: English
Terminal Emulator (United States, 2024)
In this sci-fi horror short, a corporate executive faces a downward spiral of psychological torment after a violent sexual encounter in outer space, followed by a psychedelic drug experience given to her by her lover. The film explores the dark consequences of trauma, mind manipulation, and the horrors that follow as the protagonist confronts her demons.
Director/Writer/Producer: Benjamin Capps
Key Cast: Katherine Bellantone, Benjamin Capps, Frankie Temple Ruthless, Gabriel Fries, James Cook, Axel Menz, Richard Leviathan, Jamie Jacobs
Duration: 15 minutes 22 seconds
Language: English
The Addends (Italy, 2023)
A short drama-comedy that delves into the hidden and powerful forces behind world events. The film reflects on the influences of prominent American elites, such as the Bilderberg Group and the Rothschild, Rockefeller, and Warburg families. Based on director Edi Mils’ research and reflections on global power dynamics, The Addends explores the intersection of strategy, superstition, and fate.
Director/Writer: Edi Mils
Key Cast: Frédéric Moulin, Violetta Jackson, Hannah Clarissa Knauf
Duration: 10 minutes
Language: English
The Enchantment of Consciousness (Mexico, 2023)
In this documentary, Leonardo García Castilla, the film’s director, recounts his transformative and dark encounter with Arcelia, a woman who identifies as the “Blue Woman” and a “Demon Goddess.” Through rituals blending elements from different Mexican indigenous cultures and the use of entheogens, Arcelia exposes Leonardo to a violent, intense approach to spirituality. This journey leads him to the darkest experience of his life, as he grapples with the shadows of consciousness.
Director: Leonardo García Castilla
Key Cast: Arcelia Arteaga, Julia Julieta Casimiro Estrada
Producers: Leonardo García Castilla, Bárbara Merlos
Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes
Language: Spanish
The Fool’s Journey (Spain, 2023)
An experimental short film exploring the journey of consciousness through the metaphor of the major arcana of the tarot, set against the backdrop of a party. In this surreal narrative, anything is possible as characters embark on a transformative journey that reflects both the unpredictability of life and the deeper realms of spiritual awakening.
Directors: Juana Segura, Sofía Zavaleta, Ignacio Zavaleta
Key Cast: Juan Grandinetti
Writers: Ignacio Zavaleta, Sofía Zavaleta, Juana Segura
Duration: 19 minutes
Language: Spanish
The Hidden Spring (Australia, 2023)
In this reflective documentary, Jason Di Rosso contemplates the death of his father 4000 kilometers away in Perth, using the camera as a tool to process his emotions. From his small home in Sydney, Di Rosso reflects on his family’s history of displacement, the landscapes of his life, and the mysticism surrounding them, ultimately creating a deeply personal film.
Director/Writer/Producer: Jason Di Rosso
Duration: 52 minutes
Languages: English, Italian
The Lady of the Labyrinth (Spain, 2023)
This animated allegorical essay draws inspiration from the ancient Minoan civilization, taking the viewer on a mythological journey to Paradise Lost. The short presents a vision of primordial life celebrated under a magical, festive world where humanity’s early existence, in harmony with nature, represents the pinnacle of our collective evolution. The film reflects on the disconnection from nature that occurred over time.
Directors: Ana Miranda Garcia, Sonia Garcia Parrilla
Key Cast: Marisa Moreno
Animation Design: Jeremy Bastide
Duration: 15 minutes
Language: Spanish
The Landscape of the Spirit (Netherlands, 2024)
This documentary takes the viewer on a journey across Poland, exploring the concept of “places of power” through the eyes of five experienced guides. The filmmakers meet Jakub Zemła in Warsaw, who introduces them to radiesthesia, a practice used to study the energetics of locations. They continue their journey to Marta Tscharntke in Zgorzelec and Görlitz, where she demonstrates the use of tools to detect energy in places of power. In a Kashubian forest, Eugeniusz Leciej, a mechanic turned exorcist, shares tales of supernatural experiences linked to ancient stone circles. The filmmakers also meet Dorota Hall, a cultural anthropologist, and Jacek Kwiatkowski, a former Catholic priest turned bioenergetic healer. This journey uncovers the rich and diverse spiritual traditions of Poland.
Directors: Antoni Czarczyński, Helena Łomnicka
Key Cast: Jakub Zemła, Eugeniusz Leciej, Marta Tscharntke, Dorota Hall, Jacek Kwiatkowski
Duration: 1 hour 3 minutes
Language: Polish
The Metaphysician’s Dream (United States, 2020)
This short experimental animation explores the creation of living toys by metaphysicians from a parallel universe. The film delves into abstract concepts of materialization and the blending of physical and metaphysical realities.
Director: William Kersten
Duration: 15 minutes 5 seconds
Language: English
To be or to be? (Czech Republic)
The short film follows Giacomo Casanova, the famous 298-year-old writer and traveler, as he journeys from Western to Eastern civilizations, with a focus on the teachings of Zarathustra. As Casanova heads to the Temple of Fire, the film explores timeless philosophical and spiritual themes, particularly about the immortality of life and the universal nature of existence, both earthly and extraterrestrial.
Director: Leyla Begim
Key Cast: Gulnara Imanova, Mehriban Gasimzadeh, Sabina Zulalova, Aibeniz Nabieva, Kamilla Mamedova
Duration: 26 minutes 40 seconds
Language: Russian
To Semiramide (Italy, 2023)
This documentary investigates the life and legacy of Semiramide, one of the most famous clairvoyants of the early 20th century. Born in Brescia in 1907, Semiramide became the psychic advisor to influential figures, including Mussolini, Gassman, and Lollobrigida. The film follows Silvia Ghilardi, a journalist and one of the directors, as she uncovers new insights into Semiramide’s life and work, shedding light on her influence during the fascist regime and her broader cultural significance. It also explores universal themes such as the search for life beyond death and the condition of women.
Directors: Silvia Ghilardi, Silvia Cascio
Key Cast: Silvia Ghilardi
Duration: 50 minutes
Language: Italian
Try, Tri-Butterfly (Belgium, 2024)
Try, Tri-Butterfly is an experimental meditation on creation, transformation, and introspection. The film raises profound philosophical questions about the nature of creation and the forces driving transformation. It explores themes such as the architect who creates in his image, the ambiguous nature of growth and decay, and whether creation and transformation come with a necessary sacrifice.
Director: Jonah Steeman
Duration: 3 minutes
Language: -
Vaklush (Bulgaria, 2022)
This documentary covers the life and teachings of Vaklush Tolev, a spiritual leader and theologian who spent decades under the communist regime in Bulgaria. The film features archival footage from his life and documents his philosophical and religious teachings, including his radical belief that man is a god in evolution rather than a sinner. The film also explores the cultural and historical context of his ideas and his influence on Bulgaria’s post-communist intellectual and spiritual scene. It includes interviews with scholars, political figures, and his family members.
Director: Nikolay Vasilev
Key Cast: Various experts, including Peter Stoyanov, Prof. Dr. Maria Slavova, and Dr. Ventsislav Zlatarev
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes
Language: Bulgarian
We Go to Church But We Do Not Speak to God (United States, 2024)
This short film follows a runaway bride who turns to the tarot with the help of a mischievous new friend to explore questions about ritual, tradition, and faith. The film blends drama, comedy, and experimental elements as the characters seek meaning and answers in a moment of crisis, using the tarot as a tool for self-discovery and reflection on religious and spiritual themes.
Director: Luke Oleen Junk
Key Cast: Tessa Torreano, Tricia Buerke, Nicolas Sullie Sullivan, Sam Benson
Duration: 7 minutes 47 seconds
Language: English
Special Screening
Embassy of the Free Mind (Italy, 2024)
The world premiere of the feature documentary invites viewers to explore the Embassy of the Free Mind (EFM) in Amsterdam, the world’s only museum dedicated to the legacy of free thought. Housed in the historic House with the Heads, the film celebrates Amsterdam’s storied history as a sanctuary for intellectuals, artists, and visionaries. At its core is the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica, a rare and extraordinary book collection honored by UNESCO’s Memory of the World program.
With breathtaking visuals and captivating narratives, the documentary delves into the collection’s 25,000 rare and once-forbidden volumes, exploring themes like hermetic wisdom, alchemy, and mysticism. Through these treasures, it illuminates 12,000 years of global wisdom, 2,000 years of Western thought, and four centuries of Amsterdam’s legacy of tolerance and intellectual exchange.
Directed by Sara Ferro and Chris Weil, the film features perspectives from luminaries such as Joost Ritman and Lucinda Martin, offering a profound tribute to the enduring spirit of free thinking.
From soul-stirring dramas to daring cinematic experiments, the Hermetic Film Festival’s rich lineup invites audiences on an unforgettable voyage into mystical, philosophical, and extraordinary dimensions of storytelling. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind cinematic celebration!
