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Embassy of the Free Mind

UNESCO Memory of the World: Explore the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica’s new home with 25,000+ rare books on alchemy, hermetica & mysticism at the Embassy of the Free Mind museum, set in Amsterdam’s historic canal mansion, the House with the Heads.

Welcome to the Embassy of the Free Mind (EFM), the world's only museum dedicated to free thinking. Located in Amsterdam's historic House with the Heads, the EFM celebrates the city's centuries-old legacy of freedom. Since the 17th century, Amsterdam has been a haven for free thinkers, craftsmen, and artists, fostering a climate of tolerance and intellectual exchange.

The EFM houses the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica, a renowned rare book collection that has recently received UNESCO's Memory of the World status. This collection includes 25,000 prohibited books exploring the connections between humanity, nature, and the universe, with focuses on hermetic wisdom, alchemy, mysticism, and more. Through evocative images and stories, visitors journey through 12,000 years of global wisdom, 2,000 years of Western thought, and 400 years of Amsterdam's free thinking heritage.

  • Sara Ferro
    Director
  • Chris Weil
    Director
  • ARTOLDO pictures
    Production
  • Joost Ritman
    Key Cast
  • Jasha van der Wel
    Key Cast
  • Lucinda Martin
    Key Cast
  • Jozef Ritman
    Key Cast
  • Corey Andrews
    Key Cast
  • Kyra Gerber
    Key Cast
  • Aricia Ritman
    Key Cast
  • Derek Lomas
    Key Cast
  • Natalie Koch
    Key Cast
  • Rachel Ritman
    Key Cast
  • Han Bakker
    Key Cast
  • Sem Kramer
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 34 minutes
  • Country of Origin:
    Italy
  • Country of Filming:
    Netherlands
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K DCI
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Hermetic International Film Festival
    Italy (2024)
    World Premiere
  • Lift-Off Filmmaker Session Vol. 1
    London (2025)
    Official Selection
  • House with the Heads
    Amsterdam (2025)
    Special Screening
Distribution Information
  • ARTOLDO media
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Sara Ferro, Chris Weil

UNESCO Memory of the World – Ultra-Rare Books in 4K

From the creators of the legendary, award-winning Ritman Library documentary and the mind-bending C. G. Jung on Alchemy TV show.

The ARTOLDO collective—featuring filmmakers and artists Sara Ferro and Chris Weil—has produced over 30 films screened at film festivals worldwide, with their artworks exhibited in museums and galleries across the globe.

"Embassy of the Free Mind" is the follow-up to their cult documentary "The Ritman Library – Amsterdam", capturing the new home of the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica for the first time, entirely shot in 4K.

This film seamlessly aligns with their documentary series on "C. G. Jung on Alchemy", filmed at Jung’s house in his private rare book library in Küsnacht (Zurich), delving even deeper into the mysteries of the human mind.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

It was an honor and privilege to film the follow-up documentary on the new home of the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica. Over three weeks, we immersed ourselves in this sacred space of ancient wisdom, embarking on a personal journey of initiation as we captured some of the rarest books on Alchemy, Hermetica, Mysticism, Magic, Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, and Theosophy.

The staff was incredible, and we hope you enjoy this one-of-a-kind documentary about the "Embassy of the Free Mind". It will be complemented by our upcoming documentary series,
"All Is One", currently in post-production.