The Severed Heads 1957
Early-career Alejandro Jodorowsky unleashes his surreal vision onscreen in *The Severed Heads (1957)*, a whimsical 21-minute mime fantasy drawn from a Thomas Mann tale.
Director: Alejandro Jodorowsky
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *The Severed Heads (1957)* about?
The film follows a Parisian street urchin who survives by selling tiny human heads to a curious public, blending dark humor with whimsical fantasy. Inspired by Thomas Mann, it's a surreal take on childhood ingenuity and the oddities of urban life.
Who directed *The Severed Heads*?
Alejandro Jodorowsky, the visionary filmmaker known for his avant-garde works like *The Holy Mountain* and *Santa Sangre*, directed this early short.
Who stars in *The Severed Heads*?
The short features Raymond Devos, Denise Brossot, Rolande Polya, and a young Alejandro Jodorowsky alongside Saul Gilbert and Jean-Marie Proslier.
Is *The Severed Heads (1957)* worth watching?
Though obscure, this 21-minute gem offers a delightful glimpse into Jodorowsky's early style—surreal, playful, and packed with inventive visuals. Fans of experimental cinema or the director's later works will find it a charming curiosity worth seeking out.
How long is *The Severed Heads*?
The film runs for 21 minutes.
About The Severed Heads (1957) — A Surreal Parisian Mime Fantasy by Jodorowsky
Early-career Alejandro Jodorowsky unleashes his surreal vision onscreen in *The Severed Heads (1957)*, a whimsical 21-minute mime fantasy drawn from a Thomas Mann tale. Set in the labyrinthine streets of Paris, the film follows a resourceful young urchin who ekes out a living hawking miniature human heads to passersby—a bizarre yet oddly poetic marketplace spectacle. Jodorowsky's striking visuals and playful tone transform the mundane into the magical, weaving themes of survival, surrealism, and the absurdity of human desire into a compact, unforgettable vignette. The story unfolds with dreamlike charm, blurring the line between comedy and dark fantasy while showcasing the director's signature blend of mischief and mysticism.
Starring a young Jodorowsky alongside Raymond Devos and Denise Brossot, the short is a dazzling showcase of physical storytelling and imaginative world-building. Shot in stark black-and-white, the film radiates a timeless quality, its eerie yet endearing atmosphere lingering long after the credits roll. *The Severed Heads* remains a fascinating footnote in Jodorowsky's filmography, a playful precursor to the surreal grandeur he'd later master in features like *The Holy Mountain*.