Saxophonist Mattias De Craene creates a new soundtrack for cult classic The Holy Mountain

Over 50 years ago, Chilean director Alejandro Jodorowsky made waves at the Cannes Film Festival with the premiere of The Holy Mountain (1973, 114 minutes). This psychedelic, surreal film – financed by Beatles manager Allen Klein – explores themes of spirituality, mysticism and the search for enlightenment.

This macabre masterpiece transformed into a cult classic over the years, counting such icons as Marina Abramović and the late David Lynch among its die-hard fans. Another addition to this list: Belgian saxophonist, composer and producer Mattias De Craene (MDCIII, Nordmann). "This film captured my mind, my soul and by extension my music", he says.

Upon request of the Videodroom festival – a collaboration between Film Fest Gent and the art centre VIERNULVIER – he composed a brand-new soundtrack for the film. The original soundtrack was created by Jodorowsky himself and was played by jazz legend Don Cherry, among others. 

Mattias De Craene’s soundtrack has since appeared on the album A House Where I Dream (VIERNULVIER Records), meandering between ethereal ambience and hypnotising folk, hearkening back to Terry Riley’s minimalistic compositions but also reminiscent of contemporary artists such as KMRU and William Basinski.