News has reached me of yet another announcement of a Crowley movie “in pre-production”. There have been so many similar announcements over the years that it barely ranks as News, but this one does look especially dreadful.
Having said that, there’s a call to auditions, so perhaps some members here might realise their ambitions to be immortalised as AC, probably on digital media rather than celluloid, I imagine!
The site ascribes to Crowley the following quote from the “script” which sets the tone, I suspect: “If cleanliness is next to godliness, I am the filthiest bastard in the world.”
By the way, the site is full of images taken from this site and from eBay auctions and even spoofed portraits from Black Flag Media.
Oh dear, oh dear.
On the assumption that the site will never last, I’m quoting all the text, but none of the images, from the site here as a matter of historical record. All typos are in the original. The site is currently online at: http://www.abbeyofthelemafilm.com/
“They woke to a clean superb day. The high trees broke the sun, and Scylla admired the form of them, standing straight to the east in the natural shape of trees, their tops curled to the west, tightened and distorted against the ocean wind. Below them the copse was a knit bundle, almost as firm as stone. Still there were long shadows as she dressed, still dance and flash of birds. The wood was innocent, the house fresh and serene.”
Mary Butts (Abbey of Thelema member) from ‘Armed With Madness’, The Taverner Novels, New York: McPherson & Company, 1992, p7
“Force is Force…Matter is Matter…Will is Will…the Infinite is the Infinite…Nothing is Nothing” – Tolstoy
“If cleanliness is next to godliness, I am the filthiest bastard in the world.” – Aleister Crowley, Abbey of Thelema script
“Stab your demonical smile to my brain!
Soak me in cognac,cunt and cocaine
– from the poem “Leah Sublime” by Aleister Crowley
Abbey of Thelema
A new Film in preproduction stage
This film is unigue because every cast member is a star. Each role will get equal attention and equal consideration. We think Jane Wolfe, a successful American actress who traveled thousands of miles to become part of the commune is just as interesting as Aleister Crowley.
Now accepting head shots and resumes.Submission deadline is Feb. 28, 2007. If we do not have you in the system by March 1st, you will not be able to audition for the film. We start auditions in March.
Please email your resume/headshot to vincent@abbeyofthelemafilm.com
For those wishing to submit resumes/headshots the old fashioned way, please submit to:
Vincent Jennings
Casting Director
187 Lodgepole Drive
Ozark, MO 65721
We have started a forum on Yahoo Groupsto discuss production and field any questions you may have. You can join at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/abbeyofthelemafilm
If you want to get an advantage or do some research on Crowley, you can order books about Aleister Crowley at http://shops.half.ebay.com/newagebooks_crowley_W0QQmZbooks
Abbey of Thelema is based on the philosophy of Thelema,with the actual commune propogating Thelemic mysticism started by Aleister Crowley, “The Wickedest Man On Earth”. The time period is 1920-1923. The Abbey of Thelema was located in Cefalu,Sicily. The commune dispersed when Aleister Crowley was deported The actual building still stands today.
Plot
Begins with Aleister Crowley meeting Leah in New York City, founding a commune in Sicily and ends with Aleister Crowley being expelled by Mussolini. What is unique about this movie is we focus in on each character individually, exploring their innerworkings, desires, feelings, emotions, deprivations and pain. Do you know how Big Brother TV series has the confessional booth—we are going to come from the same angle. We are attemping to be as historically accurate as possible, and we are making the movie with no bias or agenda.
Locations
Springfield, MO, Ventura, CA and Chatsworth, CA
Characters
We are taking submissions for the following roles. Since each of these are factual characters you can google/yahoo each to get a feel of what we are looking for.
Here are actual photos we have of some of the characters…
“I may be a black magician but I’m a bloody great one.”
Aleister Crowley
“Build a little fence of trust around today; Fill the space with loving deeds, And therein stay. Look not through the sheltering bars Upon tomorrow; God will help thee bear what comes of joy and sorrow.”
Mary Butts
“If you don’t control your mind, someone else will.”
Allen Bennett
“Aleister Crowley murdered my poor husband!”
Betty May Loveday
“I would follow Aleister Crowley anywhere he may lead me.”
Raoul Loveday
“That bitch Ninette killed my child and unborn child with a curse!”
Leah Hirsig
Main Characters include (in order of appearance)
Aleister Crowley (English accent, age 45)
Leah Hirsig (German accent, late 30s,)
Ninette Shumway (French accent, late 20s)
Ninette Shumway’s son (2-7 years old)
Leah Hirsig and Aleister Crowley daughter named Poupee (infant)
Sicilian Police Chief (Italian accent,early 30’s, Robert De Niro type)
Jane Wolfe (an American actress, early 30s,)
Allan_Bennett(48 year old male)
Cecil Frederick Russell (American,age 39)
Allen Bennett
Mary Butts (British modernist writer, early 30s)
Cecil Maitlans (American, early 30s)
James Douglas (English accent, mid 50s)
Raoul Loveday (English accent, mid 20s)
Betty May Loveday (English accent, mid 20s)
Benito Mussolini (Italian accent, 39)
Dr. Maggio (Italian accent, 54)
To read the poem Leah Sublime
There is a documentary on Aleister Crowley at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4mcUNe12RA
There is a three part series on youtube.com that covers Aleister Crowley’s life callled the Masters of Darkness. It is a wonderful tool to learn about the man. I believe the Abbey of Thelema section begins on reel 2, about the 10 minute mark.
Crowley documentary is here in three parts….
Part 1 of 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E93_N1dXYCg
Part 2 of 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVArfGy9rZc
Part 3 of 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVasoNn-jdQ