Aleister Crowley, a renowned occultist, establishes a Thelemic commune in Cefalu, Sicily, inspired by his true-life experiences. The story begins in New York after World War I, where Crowley, out of a job, finds solace in painting. He meets model Leah Hirsig, whom he paints as a dead soul, and they develop a romantic relationship. Leah becomes pregnant and leaves Crowley to visit her sister in Switzerland. Crowley, facing financial struggles, returns to England, while Leah gives birth to a daughter. He then meets Ninette Shumway, a French widow, and her three-year-old son, and envisions a complex romance. As the commune takes shape, Crowley, Leah, Ninette, and the children relocate to Cefalu. However, tensions rise as Ninette becomes possessive and jealous of Leah, the Scarlet Woman. The commune attracts more members, including writers, artists, and intellectuals, but the police repeatedly raid the Abbey, and the landlord struggles to collect rent. After a series of tragic events, including deaths and miscarriages, Crowley is eventually deported from Sicily due to deteriorating relations between Italy and England.
Abbey of Thelema
The film delves into the true story of the Thelemic Commune in Cefalu, Sicily, tracing its existence from 1920 to 1923.
