Cleopatra Records continues its home video line with one of the strangest American films of the year, the horror anthology Magick Mtn. Featuring a commentary track and behind-the-scenes reel, this DVD can be ordered directly from Cleopatra or MVD.
It is fitting that a film as Goth-culture inspired as Magick Mtn. winds up connected to Cleopatra, as the label has released so much classic Goth music. Formed in 1992 by young music fan Brian Perera, Cleopatra has been going strong for well over three decades. As for the company’s connection to Goth, its website addresses this:
“Meanwhile, Perera’s love for gothic rock and industrial music fueled Cleopatra’s growth in another direction. The label signed first-wave goth icons like Rozz Williams (Christian Death) and Andi Sex Gang (Sex Gang Children), alongside second-wave acts like Nosferatu, Rosetta Stone, Leæther Strip, and The Electric Hellfire Club. While many fans still associate Cleopatra with gothic music, this was only one aspect of its multifaceted identity.”
Magick Mtn. wisely utilizes some of Cleopatra’s discography for its soundtrack, making this film a particular collectable for fans of Rozz Williams and the like. Like Cleopatra’s vast catalogue, the film isn’t just a valentine to acts like Christian Death, although ultimately catagorizing this odd film is impossible.
The colorful blockbuster Hollywood comedy/musical franchise Pitch Perfect might be an odd film to bring up when discussing the dreary black and white Magick Mtn., but that is where most people will know writer, directer Hana Mae Lee from. A successful actress, comedian, model, singer and designer, Mae Lee has done a lot in her 38 years on the planet, including her work with the Gothy band Grave Condition.
Magick Mtn., co-directed and co-created by Hal Satin, premiered at Fantastic Fest this year. I imagine there was equal parts admiration and bafflement from the audience. Mae Lee has created an extremely perplexing film with Magick Mtn., which I suspect was a big part of the point. Ignoring anything resembling ‘proper’ filmmaking, Mae Lee and Satin have made an unapologetically confounding film.
Like most anthology films, Magick Mtn. is a pretty mixed-bag. Comparing this film to an acid-trip, the fully-dosed sections work best. Mae Lee and Satin randomly come up with some incredible imagery and the film contains an unforgettable performance by Monica Lamela. It is actually a shame that Mae Lee didn’t focus more of the film on Lamela, who has a cool and strange screen presence, which elevates the film every time she is on screen.
The Crowley inspired Magick Mtn. is a puzzling film, not entirely successful but I like Mae Lee’s uncompromising and extremely unpredictable nature. Not everyone will dig Magick Mtn. but, for those who love or are a part of the Goth world, this film and its soundtrack will prove most enticing.
-Jeremy Richey, September 2026-
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