|
You have to love Something Weird Video.They have tirelessly
released hundreds of rare and forgotten (a few are justified as
forgotten) films and oddball bits over the years. What you find
is they will give you a main feature, then slap a couple more
movies on afterwards as a side B and side C. Then wet-willy you
with some documentaries and trailers to make you beg for more.
So it was with great relish I watched Satanis: The Devils
Mass, because I've read books on and by Anton Szandor LaVey
in my younger years but have never got around to watching
anything (can we count brief appearances in other documentaries
or a The Devil's Rain cameo?) Author, circus man, and
much more. How much can a documentary filmed at the peak of the
Church of Satan capture of the bloke and his reasons?
He has completely sold his soul to the devil! says one
woman upon the opening of this film. This is a colourful (all
bright red and green lights) documentary on the Church of Satan
which attracted many Hollywood stars and people who sought new
wisdom and freedoms. As an organ plays, we witness masks and a
nude woman across an altar. This is extremely straight faced and
grabs your interest. The master of ceremony gives the names of
Lucifer, then the congregation say in unison: Hail Satan!
Anton steps up to pass a chalice and list many more names.
Afterwards he says; That's it for that part.
It occurred to me many years ago there was a large grey area
between psychiatry and religion. No religion has ever been based
on man's carnal needs. Anton doesn't like how many
religions base their hold on the followers through fear. The
C.O.S are more honest and believe man should be true to himself
to be true to others.
I don't know what kind of man he is. says a neighbour
who describes how softly spoken and seemingly decent he is.
Another neighbour doesn't like him. He complains about the
rundown property and the undesirable. Anton sums up,
with amusement; If you're going to do something naughty then
do it! And enjoy it!
Satanis: The Devils Mass
switches from rituals, interviews and shots of this and that
throughout. There are women without clothes, naked!
says an accented lady. The men are all covered in black.
We hear from a vicar who waxes lyrical about the history of good
versus evil and how the C.O.S is not a church! Anton then
explains the freedom upon himself and the church followers. Some
people say it's his right so good on him. Others condemn him.
Either way, Mr. LaVey isn't dull and attracts attention. He
smiles when folks say the C.O.S cannot love, only hate. As far
as sexual things, so long as nobody who is unwilling gets hurt,
fetishes should be explored. An older member of the congregation
states blatantly that no one gets forced to join or forced to do
anything. No member makes fun of anyone and they accept everyone
if they wish to join regardless of sexual preference or race.
Their point is to enjoy life whilst on Earth and not fear the
next life, ask questions and explore everything.
The gang are a great bunch actually. They are very intelligent
and some are bubbly. They all believe in God but enjoy a freedom
not given by other religions based on 'hypocrisy'. More rituals
follow, including a man dressed in a Pope's hat having his ass
whipped whilst LaVey reads aloud. Then the beaten bloke receives
cuddles in a casket. They apparently modernise and vary ancient
voodoo and Templar rituals and rites. One particular section
which is based around voodoo drags for around six minutes and
depresses the viewer. He goes quite in-depth about the
situations regarding animal sacrifices. He adores animals and
does not feel any such 'Satanist' is a true one if they do that.
Elsewhere we see his collection of circus posters and paintings,
plus an awesome tombstone used as a coffee table. Then they all
chat about masturbation which raises a lot of giggles.
Satanis: The Devils Mass
is a great insight into an era set in San Francisco where
anything could happen. I suppose it isn't a fair balance --
those against the movement come over as angry sour and prudish
shitheads. Well, maybe they all were.
He is purely for publicity! The C.O.S is accused of
being there for cash. Anton compares this to money spent
building cathedrals, and explains how the C.O.S gives to its
people. A younger man states that since at that time, the Church
of Satan had 6,000 members. That is a small group against
millions. How can they be a threat? The final ritual reminded me
of the Dennis Wheatley novel, The Satanist, as followers
step forward to speak their desires and have them granted.
Ray Laurent worked on such obscure titles as Body Fever
and Sappho Darling. This was the only film he directed.
It's a rough but commendable effort. It is bouncy subject matter
as this doesn't need Hollywood purity, to be honest. The low
budget adds to it.
Side B of this affair is called Sinthia: The Devil's Doll.
It is perhaps one of the most brilliantly directionless mash-ups
we've ever seen -- and I've put my poor Horror Soulmate through
some pretty mental flicks. It's all arty, psychedelic, sex,
nudity, music, it's all Daddy! Daddy! Why Daddy? and
dream-like. What story attempts to exist involves Cynthia, a
young girl who loves her Dad so much that she stabs him and her
Mum when she finds them making the beat with two backs, then
burns the family home down. Shula Roan plays the part fairly
well but doesn't seem to have been in any other flicks, unlike
most of the cast who have a decent CV. Saying that, having a
confused script probably didn't help her career.
Coffin Joe Technicolor nightmares invade -- all faces, nudes,
echoes, whipping, dances and a guy who looks like Emilio
Estevez, these are her dreams. Far out. Mix Jean Rollin with
Alejandro Jodorowsky (minus human oddities) and you're not
close. Amid red-faced men attacking on beaches, tarot, slow
motion dances in forests and much more, this movie seemed to be
made for one audience, freaked out hippies hanging out late
night on 42nd Street. My Horror Soulmate said; I
like this. It's wacked out and out of it! Is it a film about
overcoming trauma? Or an experiment in psychedelic visions? The
Devil is living in my brain!! screams Cynthia at one point.
In England today, there are more than five hundred
registered organisations who practice black magic! narrates
George Sanders as a short extra documentary begins about
Satanism in the 70s UK. Well, Dunsmore to be specific. It uses
obvious actors, but it's all fun. So is the second extra, My
Tale is Hot -- what the F is that about???!! Then the
standard trailers inspired by the features and a load of crazy
as hell stills from sexploitation gems. Yep, SWV are cool.
Satanis: The Devils Mass
is recommended but as a documentary it doesn't really teach you
much, other than the views of a group of people and a few who
don't like them. It's okay to view if you go in not hoping for
an epic. (Satanis is so named after a DC comic
character). As for the second film... blimey!!!!
|
