SF FILM FESTIVAL LAST DAY/LAST FILM: APRIL 23 HAIL SATAN?
Hail Satan?
The final film of the festival. It seemed appropriate in a city that says F.U. to the conservative right would have this real yet humorous documentary on a salacious topic. What other film festival would dare to highlight it and tell the audience it seems like a pretty cool group to join. The film was sold out and people were turned away it was so well received. There were plenty of Satanists in the crowd and a good cheer of Hail Satan when the movie began and afterwards outside. A group of them walked past me to sit in the front middle of the theater in their all black outfits, long coats and kind of punk styling with tattoos. It was incredible that Penny Lane, the director, got the interviews that she did. In an interview I heard they have rejected tons of requests for a documentary or reality show. This was done with dignity. They aren't believers in a little red devil more so a radical voice of the opposition of the mix of religion and government. They also like the theater of it and heavy metal music. I heard the director joined the group midway through filming the documentary.
Program Description
Hail Satan?
Penny Lane, USA 2019, 95 min
If Aleister Crowley and Rosemary's Baby (1968) are what come to mind when you hear about a group called The Satanic Temple, this playful and unexpectedly inspirational new documentary from Penny Lane (NUTS!, Festival 2016) will set you straight. The group's relationship to Satanism, the beliefs and tenets that drive them, and the incendiary actions of co-founder Lucien Greaves and other members are serious business, and Lane engages with the issues that occupy the group while simultaneously capturing the humor of their approach, whether shopping for costumes or designing a monument to Baphomet.
Meghan Kelly interviewing Lucien Greaves the co-founder of The Satanic Temple. It was a funny clip as she couldn't wrap her head around any of his concepts and he was very well spoken.
p.s. After thinking about the documentary for some time, I changed my mind a little about it and don't think it was a well-rounded documentary. She only showed the positive things that Satanists are doing. I'm sure there have been things that have been done in the name of Satan that aren't good. Also, in one scene when their rally was cancelled by the city of Boston. A guy is interviewed saying that of course they cancelled it because the city defends the priests there that are child molesters. We're the good guys. Kind of a leap and I'm sure there were other concerns. In general, if the director converts to the group she is covering in a documentary this is going to happen and there won't be a fair and balanced approach to the subject.
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