Hungarian composer Franz Liszt preceded the great rock stars of the 20th century by more than a century: He was a star pianist who garnered mass adoration. The term “Lisztomania” was coined by the renowned poet and writer Heinrich Heine in response to the fan hysteria that accompanied Liszt’s virtuoso performances.

Director Ken Russell managed to shoot “Lisztomania” the same year he created his iconic rock opera “Tommy” (also being screened at Epos), both films starring The Who’s lead singer, Roger Daltrey. The film’s plot focuses on the friendly rivalry between Liszt and composer Richard Wagner, as well as on Liszt’s many romances and betrayals.

This description hardly covers what can easily be described as one of Russell’s most disturbing films. It is an unbridled, hallucinatory cinematic roller coaster that depicts the famous composer as a rock star, and includes, among other things, a spectacular musical performance featuring huge sculptures of male genitals.