First off: this is not a documentary about, or ode to, Jonny Greenwood – he’s barely in it. Instead, Anderson constructs a largely wordless impressionistic illustration through music, played live throughout.

The first third seems pointless, a formally unimaginative digression with little reason to’ve been released – the visuals in fact are so static we may as well just listen to the album without all this rigmarole.

25 minutes in, though, Anderson and editor Andy Jurgensen’s better instincts kick in, we leave the studio, and Junun approaches greatness: fantastic music washing over stunning sequences right to the end.

Better than a completist’s curio, this experiment sees Anderson, on beautifully raw form, tackling a new theme: spiritual transcendence. If this is inspiration for later features, we’re feeling very excited.

RATING: 4/5

INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Paul Thomas Anderson

SYNOPSIS: Musician Jonny Greenwood travels to Rajasthan, where he performs with a multitude of Indian musicians.

Junun is streaming on MUBI until November 7.