Favorite documentary of the year? Probably!
Hail Satan? is a work of illuminating proclamation, a masterful teaching tool of modern Satanism in America. Satanism as a religion takes about as many forms as Christianity -- practitioners may worship the self, fellow humanity, or a Luciferian deity -- but as an ideology seems to be fairly uniform. It's about rebellion and independence, about individual dignity and pluralistic harmony, about what it really means to be American. The problem with that is, in subverting governing or identifying labels, I don't think many Satanists would claim to be "American" or "patriots" because of an innate mistrust of mainstream politics.
This documentary works not by detailing the sordid history of Satanism or its practice -- though it does efficiently outline key points -- but rather by constantly contrasting it with its opponents. Satanism is, after all, by definition, reactionary to monotheism (and specifically Christianity) and the profound Christian privilege in U.S. culture, it is best depicted alongside that which created and oppresses it. Director Penny Lane develops a uniquely hilarious and chilling tone here, juxtaposing incredible images and sounds to shape a film that not only depicts Satanism but demonstrates it.
As a vehicle for this project, however, we follow primarily secular Satanists of the more recently founded Satanic Temple as they use the U.S. legal system to combat Christian privilege across the country. From fighting prayer in schools to religious monuments on public property, the organization takes issues to court usually fighting for inclusion rather than exclusion. The centerpiece of this film is the creation of a statue of Baphomet to stand beside Ten Commandments monuments in multiple cities. Of course their point is simply to remove religion from public functions, but they do so by arguing for Satanic rites in place alongside Christian ones. Rather than acceding, allowing Satan into their spaces, their opponents are all but forced to relinquish their own monopoly. It's a brilliant technique to behold, and a powerful example of justice meted out properly.
This film may not convince you of the Satanic cause -- it certainly doesn't act as a treatise -- and it won't teach you all you may want to know, but it will make you laugh, gasp, and think for a long time afterward. It will invariably be a useful tool for those of us seeking to destabilize the dangerous and deadly union of church and state in Trump's America.
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