Hermetic International Film Festival 2023: A Journey Through Mysteries, Alchemy, and Virtual Realities

gifigo
4 min readDec 8, 2023

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C. G. Jung on Alchemy — Mini Series — Documentary Series — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil
© C. G. Jung on Alchemy: Sara Ferro & Chris Weil — World Premiere at the Hermetic International Film Festival

In a groundbreaking move, the Hermetic International Film Festival (FHIFF) is set to captivate audiences with its special program for its 6th anniversary. In addition to the competition program of officially selected films, this year’s edition promises not only a stellar lineup and special screenings of films produced by the curators themselves, but also introduces a foray into the immersive world of Virtual Reality (VR) installations.

C. G. Jung on Alchemy — Mini Series — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil
© C. G. Jung on Alchemy: Mini Series — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil

C. G. Jung on Alchemy — Documentary Series

Embark on a riveting journey into the realms of alchemy and psychology with the documentary series, C. G. Jung on Alchemy.

© C. G. Jung on Alchemy — TV Series — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil
© C. G. Jung on Alchemy: TV Series — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil

Directors Sara Ferro and Chris Weil take audiences into the private collection of Carl Gustav Jung, unraveling the enigmatic world of soul transmutation, the hidden narratives within the Red Book, Gnostic wisdom, and the profound concepts of synchronicity and archetypes. This 5-year labor of love and research promises to be a captivating exploration of Jung’s legacy.

MicroGnosing — Film by Sara Ferro & Chris Weil
© MicroGnosing — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil

MicroGnosing

Venture into the world of MicroGnosing, an experimental short film directed by Sara Ferro and Chris Weil. The narrative revolves around a psychedelic agent discovering her Third Eye, leading to a rollicking yet profound training experience between secret agent colleagues. With a micro-dose of synthesized psychedelic substance, the film explores esoteric techniques for enhancing insight abilities, offering audiences a glimpse into a transcendental experience.

The Ritman Library: Amsterdam — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil
© The Ritman Library: Amsterdam — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil

The Ritman Libary: Amsterdam

Delve into the hidden treasures of the European underground heritage in The Ritman Library: Amsterdam. Directors Sara Ferro and Chris Weil take viewers on a mesmerizing journey through more than 23,000 books in the fields of alchemy, Hermetica, Cabala, and more. This documentary, completed in 2017, offers a rare glimpse into legendary first editions, manuscripts, and works of influential authors, shedding light on the esoteric and mysterious.

Timor Panicus — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil
© Timor Panicus — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil

Timor Panicus

“What if the gateway to Agartha was relocated to the heart of a bustling metropolis?” asks Timor Panicus, an animated experimental short directed by Sara Ferro and Chris Weil. Drawing inspiration from the Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro’s Solar Disc, the film explores the intersection of fashion and finance districts, unveiling a concealed toran to a secret ruling world in disguise among passersby.

Ugo Dossi: Art and Space — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil
© Ugo Dossi: Art and Space — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil

Ugo Dossi: Art and Space

Acquaint yourself with the figurative artist Ugo Dossi in Ugo Dossi — Art and Space. Directors Sara Ferro and Chris Weil present exclusive insights into Dossi’s works, touching on metaphysics, astronomy, tarot, and more. This documentary, completed in 2017, provides a deep dive into the artist’s atelier, exploring the meaning behind his artworks and addressing questions of relative liberty and individuality in the context of the universe.

WhimSeaCall: Nocturnal Sea — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil
© WhimSeaCall: Nocturnal Sea — Sara Ferro & Chris Weil

WhimSeaCall — Nocturnal Sea

A Mystical Swim in the Alchemical Archetype: Experience a mystical journey with WhimSeaCall — Nocturnal Sea, an experimental short film directed by Sara Ferro and Chris Weil. This whimsical and allegorical swim in the alchemical archetype of the Red Sea unfolds on the shores of an Italian coastline, blending elements of mystery, supernaturalism, alchemy, and the occult.

MULTIMEDIA: Virtual Reality

Zoroaster Superstar VR: David Bowie — ARTOLDO (Sara Ferro & Chris Weil)
© Zoroaster Superstar VR: David Bowie — ARTOLDO (Sara Ferro & Chris Weil)

Zoroaster Superstar

Art Installation in Memory of Zoroaster: Step into the realm of Virtual Reality with Zoroaster Superstar, an art installation paying homage to Zoroaster. Created by the ARTOLDO art collective (Sara Ferro & Chris Weil), this immersive experience explores the influence of Friedrich Nietzsche, David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, and Federico Fellini in shaping the prophetic narrative. Audiences can expect to traverse Bowie’s universe, Mercury’s spiritual stage, and Casanova’s fantastical Venice in this 3-part, 12-minute virtual reality extravaganza.

© Zoroaster Superstar VR: Freddie Mercury | Casanova — ARTOLDO (Sara Ferro & Chris Weil)

The Hermetic International Film Festival promises a unique and transformative cinematic experience, inviting audiences to explore the depths of alchemy, the mysteries of the unconscious, and the immersive world of Virtual Reality. The festival, with its diverse lineup, showcases the convergence of art, esotericism, and the uncharted territories of the mind.

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