Ring of Fire: Volume 1, An Indonesian Odyssey—Spice Island Saga

Lorne and Lawrence Blair

The Blair Brothers embark on a 2,000-mile journey through the Spice Islands in search of the Bird of Paradise, the symbol of eternal life. They encounter storms and doldrums, sultans and transvestites, priests, pearl divers and python hunters, before finally reaching the Aru Islands close to New Guinea. Their odyssey with the Bugis tribe starts the Blairs on a journey which leads them into the forgotten wisdom of the island peoples. 58 min.

Publisher: Mystic Fire
Video

Ring of Fire: Volume 2, An Indonesian Odyssey—Dance of the Warriors

Lorne and Lawrence Blair

The Blairs sail to Komodo and film giant carnivorous lizards. On Sumba, they witness a veiled form of human sacrifice by equestrian warriors. Weavers of magical textiles, the Sumbanese still live by ancient beliefs, ritually keeping the balance between the gods above and the world below. The brothers journey 50,000 years into the past to live with Asmat headhunters in New Guinea. In Bali, they build a home in a village of farmers, artists and mystics. 58 min.

Publisher: Mystic Fire
Video

Ring of Fire: Volume 3, An Indonesian Odyssey—East of Krakatoa

Lorne and Lawrence Blair

In the shadow of Java’s constantly erupted volcanos, the Blairs encounter a world of medieval courts, mystical shadow-puppet plays, of magical swords, healers with supernatural powers and whole communities ruled by the Toraja people of the Celebes highlands. The brothers share in the massive funeral rites of the last king of the tribe which believes its ancestors came from the stars in skyships. 58 min.

Publisher: Mystic Fire
Video

Ring of Fire: Volume 4, An Indonesian Odyssey—Dream Wanderers of Borneo

Lorne and Lawrence Blair

For 800 miles, through untamed and uncharted rainforest, the Blairs seek the last of the Punan Dyaks, the blow-gun-wielding nomads of the interior. Eventually, the Blairs find them and are initiated into the spiritual mysteries of the “dream wanderers.” They get tattooed with the symbol of Aping,”the Tree of All Life.” 58 min.

Publisher: Mystic Fire
Video

Towers Open Fire and Other Films

William S. Burroughs

“Four short films: Towers Open Fire, The Cut-Ups, Bill & Tony, and William Buys a Parrot. A cinematic equivalent to Burroughs' writing, a “cut-up” of all the key themes and situations in his books, accompanied by a Burroughs soundtrack narration. Society crumbles as the Stock Exchange crashes, members of the Board are raygun-zapped in their own boardroom, and a commando in the orgasm attack leaps through a window…”

Publisher: Mystic Fire
Video

Fireworks, Rabbit’s Moon and Eaux D’Artifice

Kenneth Anger

Fireworks (1947): “A dissatisfied dreamer awakes, goes out in the night seeking a light, and is drawn through the needle’s eye. He returns to a bed less empty than before.” Rabbit’s Moon (1950): “A fable of the Unnattainable (the Moon) combining elements of the comedia dell’arte with Japanese myth. A lunar dream utilizing the classic pantomime figure of Pierrot in an encounter with a prankish, enchanted Magick Lantern…” Eaux D’Artifice (1953): “Hide-and-seek in a night-time labyrinth of levels, cascades, balustrades, grottoes and ever-gushing, leaping fountains, until the water witch and the fountain become one.”—Anger

Publisher: Mystic Fire
Video

Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome

Kenneth Anger

Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954): “A convocation of magicians assume the identity of gods and goddesses in a Dionysian revel. Lord Shiva, the magician, awakes. The Scarlet Woman, whore of heaven, smokes a big, fat joint; Astarte of the moon brings the wings of snow; Pan bestows the grapes of Bacchus; Hecate offers the sacred mushroom, yagé, wormwood brew. The vintage of Hecate is poured. Pan’s cup is poisoned by Lord Shiva. The orgy ensues—a magick masquerade in which Pan is the prize. Lady Kali blesses the rites of the children of light as Lord Shiva invokes the godhead with the formula ‘Force and Fire.’ Dedicated to the few; and to Aleister Crowley; and the crowned and conquering child.”—Anger

Publisher: Mystic Fire
Video