If you’re sick of mainstream cinema, you should consider trying out the experimental movies discussed in this article. Often filled with dreamlike imagery or no dialogue, experimental or avant-garde movies will leave you reexamining the art of film and arguing the merit of each work with your friends. These motion pictures are not for everyone, however, so anyone who thought films like Memento or Oldboy were “weird” should avoid these at all costs.

• 11’09”01: September 11 (2002) – Eleven filmmakers from different counties demonstrate their take on the events of 9/11, with each project lasting 11 minutes, 9 seconds, and one frame. Participating countries include the United States, Iran, France, Egypt, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, United Kingdom, Mexico, Israel, Japan, and India.
• Anatomy of Hell (2004) – Amira Casar stars as “the woman,” who’s discovered trying to commit suicide in the bathroom of a gay bar by “the man” (porn star Rocco Siffredi). She then pays him to watch her over the next four days, during which time she expresses her opinions on sexuality. A highly controversial and hardcore look at sexual fears courtesy of Catherine Breillat (adapted from her own novel).
• The Howl (1970) – An Italian film from director Tinto Brass, The Howl combines surreal imagery with anti-war protests. A far cry from some of Brass’s more sexually-charged works.
• Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962) – Agnes Varda’s film follows French singer Cleo (Corinne Marchand) as she cruises the streets of Paris for two hours while dreading the results of a medical test.
• Able Edwards (2004) – Set in a future where a global catastrophe has forced the residents of Earth to relocate to a space station, a company that’s a lot like Disney decides to create a clone of their founder to boost profits. It works, but the cloned entertainment mogul soon begins to long for a life of his own.
• Heart of Glass (1976) – Filmed by mad genius Werner Herzog and a cast of hypnotized actors, the movie tells of an 18th century Bavarian village that slowly falls into decay following the death of a master glass blower. Meanwhile, a seer from the hills (based on Bavarian prophet Muhlhiasl) comes down to speak of the future.
• Man with a Movie Camera (1929) – A silent Russian documentary that features an intimate look at life in various Soviet cities (with an emphasis on Odessa). The film’s most notable contribution comes in the way of camera techniques, many of which director Dziga Vertov invented during shooting.
• Baraka (1993) – Filmed in 24 countries and 152 different locations, Baraka dispenses with dialogue in favor of imagery involving people and places from around the globe. A fascinating celebration of all that is great and terrible about Earth. Directed by Ron Fricke.
• Goodbye Uncle Tom (1971) – A pseudo-documentary in which the filmmakers journey back to the days when slavery was still commonplace in the United States. Drawing from published material, this Italian/Spanish film is filled with graphic torture, rape, and murder.
• Fruit of Paradise (1970) – A Czech film that retells the story of Adam and Eve in a new and distinctly darker fashion. Directed by Vera Chytilova, a promising filmmaker whose career was greatly stunted by a Soviet ban on her work.
• La Jetee (1962) – Made up almost entirely of still photos, this 28-minute French experimental film would later be used as the inspiration for Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys. Following World War III, a prisoner is sent through time in an effort to repair society. But he’s haunted throughout by a vision from his childhood, one that will prove eerily prophetic.
• Fando y Lis (1967) – A Mexican adaptation of the Fernando Arrabal play, Fando y Lis follows a young man and his paraplegic girlfriend as they wander through a post-apocalyptic landscape in search of the mythical city of Tar. The feature film debut of director Alejandro Jodorowsky.
• The Mirror (1975) – A stream of consciousness film from Russia courtesy of director Andrei Tarkovsky. Blending poems from his father, newsreel footage, and scenes of both his childhood and adult life, Tarkovsky uses cinema to deftly peer into his own soul.
• The Blood of a Poet (1930) – One of the earlier experimental movies, Blood of a Poet was directed by avant-garde icon Jean Cocteau. Divided into four sections, it takes a surreal look at mouths spawned from artistic endeavors and why children shouldn’t throw snowballs at one another.
• Alice (1988) – A Czech film that retells the story of Alice in Wonderland with a combination of live and stop motion animation. A dreamlike masterpiece that will have you looking at your household items in a whole new way.
• Ecstasy of the Angels (1972) – Koji Wakamatsu’s tale of revolutionary groups fighting for possession of stolen U.S. explosives. It also happens to be a Japanese pink film, meaning it’s filled with softcore pornography.
• I Am Cuba (1964) – With long sequences shot without dialogue and supporting the need for revolution, I Am Cuba takes a dim view of Batista’s reign. Over 40 years later, I wonder if the filmmakers would consider Castro to be an improvement? Still, it’s a fascinating document about political power and the longing for freedom.
• Jubilee (1977) – Heavily influenced by the British punk movement and featuring icons such as Adam Ant and Wayne Country, this experimental cult film features Jenny Runacre as Queen Elizabeth I. Transported through time, she finds herself wandering the nihilistic landscape of a 1970’s Britain.
• Mondo Cane (1966) – The film that first brought about the sub-genre known as the “mondo film,” Mondo Cane is comprised of vignettes intended to shock Western audiences with its depiction of sexual practices and other odd beliefs from around the globe. Immensely popular despite the controversy surrounding it, the film actually brought about a heart attack in one of its subjects while being screened in Cannes.
• L’Age d’Or (1930) – Also known as The Golden Age, this surrealist film was co-written by Salvador Dali and takes numerous shots at the Catholic Church, mainly in the form of vignettes centering around a couple unsuccessfully trying to consummate their love for one another. Banned, attacked, and otherwise defamed, the film caused a firestorm of controversy in its time.

If you’re of a mind to explore some experimental movies, this list provides a great starting point. Fans of Michael Bay and the Transformers franchise will probably experience severe headaches and anal bleeding, so consider yourself warned.