BRISTOL Psychedelic Cinema Club: My Psychedelic Love Story

My Psychedelic Love Story tells of the dramatic love affair between “high priest of LSD” Timothy Leary and the glamorous socialite-hippie Joanna Harcourt-Smith.  

Smith, the protagonist of the movie, is a fascinating character. Born to the heiress of Switzerland, she rebelled from her strict catholic upbringing and, by age 26, was twice divorced with two children, living with the Rolling Stones during their exile.

When she met Leary, 26 years her senior and a fugitive at the time, they were married in two weeks. Their whirlwind escapade took them across Europe and eventually to Afghanistan, where FBI agents seized Leary. 

Was Leary's "perfect love" a CIA plant, or was she simply a rich, beautiful young woman out for the adventure of a lifetime?

Oscar-winning filmmaker Errol Morris captures this fascinating romance in his 2020 documentary My Psychedelic Love Story. The film is treated as a true-life thriller, delivered within a montage of trippy visuals, tarot references, and footage encompassing the 1960s sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle. 

We’ll be screening this movie at our upcoming psychedelic cinema club night. There will be an opportunity to discuss and share perspectives on the film and its key themes once the screening is over. 

The event will take place at the Gasworks studio in St. Werburghs. The studio has a living room-style layout, so you can sit down or lie down with a blanket and cup of tea at hand for an ultra-cozy screening experience.

This is a non-profit community event. Our intention is to create a space for like-minded individuals who are curious about consciousness and the power of psychedelics to connect, share ideas, and learn from one another.

Movie Trailer and Reviews

“I felt captivated and often wondered how could Harcourt have such a vivid recollection of her and Leary's travels on the run from the law. Nevertheless, My Psychedelic Love Story is quite a tale of what seems to have become a largely forgotten part of the turbulent 1970s.”

“A must-watch. Mind-blowing, truthful, daring, real, raw, excellent storytelling, not a dull moment.”

“A pretty entertaining history of counterculture and espionage... It is intriguing and humorous”

“Revelatory, subtly substantial and not without genuine moments of awe”

“The ever-inquisitive and creative Errol Morris has found a way into this eager attention craver that, even if it doesn't present the man in a new light, does make Leary's story come alive again in a very particular way.”

REFUNDS POLICY: Please note, we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. When possible we encourage reselling on Ticketswap.

ACCESS:  We do our best to include everyone in our events, regardless of health circumstances. If you have access requirements please email the event organiser directly to discuss. Many facilitators are able to offer reduced ticket prices for those truly unable to afford the ticket price. If this applies to you, do please get in touch with the event organiser.

For PSYCHEDELIC KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES please check out the Psychedelic Society website. 

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