Watch Journey Through the Past

Journey Through the Past is a 1973 experimental film written and directed by musician Neil Young. The film features an eclectic mix of concert footage, home movies, and surreal visuals that weave together to create a trippy, introspective journey through Young's personal and creative history. At its core, the film is a meditation on the nature of time and memory, as Young uses archival footage to revisit key moments and people from his past. The film is divided into three distinct sections, each of which offers a different perspective on Young's journey through life.

The first section, titled "Past," features candid footage of Young growing up and playing music with his family and friends. The footage offers a glimpse into his formative years and the early roots of his musical career, including performances with his band Buffalo Springfield.

The second section, titled "Present," offers a more reflective and introspective view of Young's life and music. This section features footage of Young performing solo and with various bands, including Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, as well as introspective interviews in which he reflects on his creative process and the emotional landscape that informs his music.

The third and final section, titled "Future," is the most experimental and surreal of the three. This section features surreal, dreamlike imagery that blurs the line between reality and fantasy as Young explores themes of mortality, memory, and transcendence.

Throughout the film, Young's music serves as both a soundtrack and a thematic anchor, with classic tracks like "Old Man" and "Ohio" lending an emotional weight to the visuals. The film also features performances from other musicians like David Crosby, Graham Nash, and Stephen Stills, who join Young on stage for several poignant moments.

While the film is certainly uneven and at times disjointed, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of rock and roll's most influential figures. Fans of Neil Young and 1970s counterculture will find much to enjoy in this quirky, experimental film that dares to push the boundaries of what a music documentary can be.