The “mondo” film is a unique genre, one that has often been overlooked in the history of cinema. Mondo movies usually have a grainy, faux-documentary style, depicting fictional events as if they were real, and revolve around taboo topics like death and sex. Mondo Hollywoodland takes a different approach, as it tries to discover what the term “mondo” even means.
An ambitious effort from Janek Ambros, Mondo Hollywoodland travels through Los Angeles to try to find the meaning of mondo. Along the way, you meet a wild cast of characters: sleazy film producers, beach-loving hippies, magic mushroom dealers, and more. The film also jumps from genre to genre, beginning with the pseudo-documentary style at the beginning and switching to heist film, science fiction, thriller, and various others as the film progresses.
At times incoherent but always entertaining, Janek Ambros displays real ability here. His editing techniques are especially noteworthy. While the plot and characters may sometimes be difficult to follow, Ambros keeps audiences engaged nonetheless. His journey into the so-called titans, weirdos, and dreamers is often a delirious viewing experience, but there’s real potential here. Those wishing for a linear narrative will not find one in this title. The film serves as a glimpse into Ambros’ abilities. He’s a director willing to take real risks, and it’ll be interesting to see what he does next. Aud. C, P.