| Interview with Robert Garofalo By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Greetings Robert thanks for doing the
interview. Please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us
about yourself.
interview. Please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us
about yourself.
Robert Garofalo: Robert Garofalo - Writer and director of 'In
Search Of The great Beast 666'
Search Of The great Beast 666'
Blissfulviolet: When did you first get the idea for this
Aleister Crowley film?
Aleister Crowley film?
Robert: I first thought about producing a documentary on
Aleister Crowley in 1987. After doing some initial research, I
placed an advert in the Sunday Telegraph or Times (I cannot
recall which), advertising for anyone that knew him that could
help with my research. Through this ad, I received many
responses, one of which led me to meeting with Louis
Wilkinson's son i recall. Another was from a prisoner serving a
life sentence for murder, signing his letter in his own blood. So
the response was varied to say the least. I eventually shelved
Aleister Crowley in 1987. After doing some initial research, I
placed an advert in the Sunday Telegraph or Times (I cannot
recall which), advertising for anyone that knew him that could
help with my research. Through this ad, I received many
responses, one of which led me to meeting with Louis
Wilkinson's son i recall. Another was from a prisoner serving a
life sentence for murder, signing his letter in his own blood. So
the response was varied to say the least. I eventually shelved
the project; in short, I felt I was too inexperienced to handle the subject matter.
Now 20 years later, having produced hundreds of documentaries and created a full time
working studio, I felt I could take on the subject with some confidence.
working studio, I felt I could take on the subject with some confidence.
Blissfulviolet: What fascinates you most about Crowley?
Robert: I have three basic rules to what makes a good documentary plot. 1/ That a blind
person can listen to the narrative and understand the storyline. 2/ That a deaf person can
watch the picture and understand the storyline and 3/ Is there someone that would'nt want this
documentary shown? If it meets all three ceiteria, then you have the basis for a worthwhile
documentary. In the case of Aleister Crowley's life it meets all three in abundance and more.
person can listen to the narrative and understand the storyline. 2/ That a deaf person can
watch the picture and understand the storyline and 3/ Is there someone that would'nt want this
documentary shown? If it meets all three ceiteria, then you have the basis for a worthwhile
documentary. In the case of Aleister Crowley's life it meets all three in abundance and more.
Blissfulviolet: How much time and preparation has been invested in this film and when can
we expect to see its release?
we expect to see its release?
Robert: The script and research was about a months work for me and my team. Pre-
production was about two months, production took about four weeks and post about six weeks.
the film gets its initial big screen screenings in mid August and the dvd is released on
September 10th in the UK. Dvd release in other territories to follow. This will be followed by
screenings at a number of festivals.
production was about two months, production took about four weeks and post about six weeks.
the film gets its initial big screen screenings in mid August and the dvd is released on
September 10th in the UK. Dvd release in other territories to follow. This will be followed by
screenings at a number of festivals.
| Narrated By Joss Ackland |
Blissfulviolet: Interesting how you chose long-time actor Joss Ackland for the narration in
this film and keyboard legend Rick Wakeman to take care of the sound score. How did they
react when being asked to be part of this project?
this film and keyboard legend Rick Wakeman to take care of the sound score. How did they
react when being asked to be part of this project?
Robert: I have worked on a movie before with Joss. And when I decided for the narrative, I
wanted a rich voice; and one that carries a lot of credibility. Joss was the ideal choice. As for
Rick, he is one of the world's finest modern day composers and a master on the keyboard,
second to none. Beethoven wasn't an option, Rick was. When offering both of them the gig, I
made it clear from the outset that we would all be voyeurs in this project, not participants. It's
up to the audience to make up its own mind on the material and facts we produce.
wanted a rich voice; and one that carries a lot of credibility. Joss was the ideal choice. As for
Rick, he is one of the world's finest modern day composers and a master on the keyboard,
second to none. Beethoven wasn't an option, Rick was. When offering both of them the gig, I
made it clear from the outset that we would all be voyeurs in this project, not participants. It's
up to the audience to make up its own mind on the material and facts we produce.
Blissfulviolet: What type of vibe do you feel Ackland and
Wakeman will bring to this film and the potential audience?
Wakeman will bring to this film and the potential audience?
Robert: Joss as I said brings some weight to the cast, if you
watch him in 'The Sicilian', you will see the presence he brings
to a plot; and I was keen that this wasn't going to be just a TV
documentary. I wanted it to also transfer to the big screen; for
that you need presence. The voice has to carry and hold the
audience. In this film I feel Joss has taken the script and
carries the audience for over two hours, holding them tight
until his final line at the end of the movie.
watch him in 'The Sicilian', you will see the presence he brings
to a plot; and I was keen that this wasn't going to be just a TV
documentary. I wanted it to also transfer to the big screen; for
that you need presence. The voice has to carry and hold the
audience. In this film I feel Joss has taken the script and
carries the audience for over two hours, holding them tight
until his final line at the end of the movie.
Likewise the music had to bring the visuals to life and add the
next dimension on the drama. Rick is the Grandfather of
concept albums, where the music paints a picture and tells a
story. Listen to ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth,’ or ‘The
next dimension on the drama. Rick is the Grandfather of
concept albums, where the music paints a picture and tells a
story. Listen to ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth,’ or ‘The
Blissfulviolet: Your right, it’s also amazing
how some people first discovered Aleister
Crowley. Many found him and noted him
through music. Reference to Crowley can be
seen dated back to Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stair Way
to Heaven’ in which they mention ‘May Queen,’
which is one of Crowley’s poems, even the
Beatles have Crowley on their ‘Sergeant
Pepper's’ album. And one can’t leave out Ozzy’
s famous ‘MR. Crowley.’ When and how did
you first learn of Crowley’s existence? And can
how some people first discovered Aleister
Crowley. Many found him and noted him
through music. Reference to Crowley can be
seen dated back to Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stair Way
to Heaven’ in which they mention ‘May Queen,’
which is one of Crowley’s poems, even the
Beatles have Crowley on their ‘Sergeant
Pepper's’ album. And one can’t leave out Ozzy’
s famous ‘MR. Crowley.’ When and how did
you first learn of Crowley’s existence? And can
Rick’s music and Joss’s voice compliment each other, much the same as Richard Burton and
Jeff Wayne did in the War of the Worlds.
Jeff Wayne did in the War of the Worlds.
Blissfulviolet: What type of reactions has the hype of this film been receiving so far? Has it
been controversial in any way, since Crowley has always been perceived as a controversial
individual?
been controversial in any way, since Crowley has always been perceived as a controversial
individual?
Robert: Now you have started me on something. Christians branding me a disciple of the
Anti Christ, Crowleyians sending me curses, ‘A pox on me’ was one that comes to mind, so-
called experts on Crowley casting their expert opinions on the movie, despite not having seen
it…Scientologists sending me subliminal threats and somebody even hacked our My-Space
site to try to shut it down. But as I said at the beginning, one of the criteria for a good
documentary is if somebody doesn’t want it shown…Seems I have passed that test with flying
colors, just waiting now for the writ from the Whitehouse.
Anti Christ, Crowleyians sending me curses, ‘A pox on me’ was one that comes to mind, so-
called experts on Crowley casting their expert opinions on the movie, despite not having seen
it…Scientologists sending me subliminal threats and somebody even hacked our My-Space
site to try to shut it down. But as I said at the beginning, one of the criteria for a good
documentary is if somebody doesn’t want it shown…Seems I have passed that test with flying
colors, just waiting now for the writ from the Whitehouse.
Blissfulviolet: That is just insane behavior over a film. I have also been reading lots of news
on how Rick Wakeman has had to explain himself on why he chose to do the score for this film,
it’s a shame how people get worked up and have started to judge him as a person for his
contributions as a musician…
on how Rick Wakeman has had to explain himself on why he chose to do the score for this film,
it’s a shame how people get worked up and have started to judge him as a person for his
contributions as a musician…
| Music Score By Rick Wakeman |
Robert: Rick shouldn’t have to explain, he is a well respected musician, with very devout
Christian beliefs. As I said he is a voyeur, not a participant. I guess this is the power of the
internet; small-minded people can make a lot of noise. Can you imagine what Crowley could
have done, as a self publicist, on the internet, reaching out to people that might have been
sympathetic to his cause? He created enough publicity without any of the modern devices now
in use. His YOUTUBE site would have been inundated.
Christian beliefs. As I said he is a voyeur, not a participant. I guess this is the power of the
internet; small-minded people can make a lot of noise. Can you imagine what Crowley could
have done, as a self publicist, on the internet, reaching out to people that might have been
sympathetic to his cause? He created enough publicity without any of the modern devices now
in use. His YOUTUBE site would have been inundated.
Robert: The list of artists influenced by Crowley is amazing, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Hall
& Oates, The Eagles, Graham Bond, David Bowie, The Beatles, Iron Maiden, Marilyn Manson,
but I figure this evolved from the drug induced rebellious 60’s and even the late 50’s. Crowley
was not only a Satanist whatever that means; he was also seen as a drug guru, probably
because he was one of the first to have been publicized as using them. (Although drugs were
not illegal until 1923) And also because he was put on a pedestal by the then new drug guru,
Timothy Leary. If you listen to Ozzy Osbourne’s interview on why he wrote a song about
Crowley, it’s clear he didn’t actually know who he was.
& Oates, The Eagles, Graham Bond, David Bowie, The Beatles, Iron Maiden, Marilyn Manson,
but I figure this evolved from the drug induced rebellious 60’s and even the late 50’s. Crowley
was not only a Satanist whatever that means; he was also seen as a drug guru, probably
because he was one of the first to have been publicized as using them. (Although drugs were
not illegal until 1923) And also because he was put on a pedestal by the then new drug guru,
Timothy Leary. If you listen to Ozzy Osbourne’s interview on why he wrote a song about
Crowley, it’s clear he didn’t actually know who he was.
Blissfulviolet: The majority of people just know Crowley as a Satanist, when in actually there
is more to this man; he was a poet, astrologer, painter, mountain climber to name a few… Will
this film cover Aleister Crowley as whole or focus on certain aspects of his life?
is more to this man; he was a poet, astrologer, painter, mountain climber to name a few… Will
this film cover Aleister Crowley as whole or focus on certain aspects of his life?
Robert: I have tried to put a perspective on every aspect of his life, including his wit, his highs
and his lows. Was he a Satanist, yes no doubt. He did perform rituals, yes without question.
Is there any evidence that he evoked demons, only from those that have written about him and
believe in such things. Was he a great poet, no I don’t think so, his poems I believe are drug
induced ramblings. Was he a great mountaineer, well he was a lot better than most and
certainly better than me. How did he influence so many people…He was a great self-publicist.
Was he the wickedest man in the world…Compared to Hitler or Saddam Hussain, probably not,
but if you asked any of his wives or mistresses that he abused, they would probably say yes.
and his lows. Was he a Satanist, yes no doubt. He did perform rituals, yes without question.
Is there any evidence that he evoked demons, only from those that have written about him and
believe in such things. Was he a great poet, no I don’t think so, his poems I believe are drug
induced ramblings. Was he a great mountaineer, well he was a lot better than most and
certainly better than me. How did he influence so many people…He was a great self-publicist.
Was he the wickedest man in the world…Compared to Hitler or Saddam Hussain, probably not,
but if you asked any of his wives or mistresses that he abused, they would probably say yes.
Blissfulviolet: Any big plans for the films release, I noticed you guys have some nice Aleister
Crowley merchandise?
Crowley merchandise?
Robert: We are screening for the press initially, I believe the subject matter is strong enough
to create some awareness.
to create some awareness.
Blissfulviolet: It was nice chatting with you do
you have any final comments you wish to tell
our readers?
you have any final comments you wish to tell
our readers?
Six Wives of Henry VIII; they are a woven tapestry of sounds. If you close your eyes, you are
there.
there.
you tell us your thoughts on Crowley’s influence in rock and metal music?
| Thomas Bewley as Aleister Crowley (Circa Mid 1940's) |
Robert: Yes, go and watch the movie, or rent
it or buy the DVD. I believe I have done a
reasonable job of bringing the subject to the
screen. There are a lot of questions raised
about Crowley, his philosophy and his
prophecies and also his involvement with many
high profile people. We don’t profess to have
all the answers, neither do we cross either side
it or buy the DVD. I believe I have done a
reasonable job of bringing the subject to the
screen. There are a lot of questions raised
about Crowley, his philosophy and his
prophecies and also his involvement with many
high profile people. We don’t profess to have
all the answers, neither do we cross either side
of the fence; it’s a good yarn and worthy of the telling. If nothing else, it should certainly raise
a great deal of opinion and debate. If it does that, then I have done my job as a film-maker.
a great deal of opinion and debate. If it does that, then I have done my job as a film-maker.
Blissfulviolet: Once again thanks for doing the interview and best of luck with the film can’t
wait to check it out!
wait to check it out!
Robert: Thanks for your time - Look forward to sending you a copy.
Visit the Official Movie Website: www.aleister-crowley-666.com
| You find him fascinating, hate him or don’t even know of his existence. Aleister Crowley has always been a controversial figure in our society. The latest film by Robert Garofalo documents the life of Crowley and should shed some light…For those in search of the Great Beast, your time has come. |