There arent many documentarians who can claim theyve made a movie which turns people into Satanists.
ButHail Satan?directorPenny Laneis one of them.
People are very surprised by the film, says Lane.
Magnolia Pictures
The transformation they undergo was not the one they were expecting.
People feel really inspired and empowered.
He also placed his naked testicles on the gravestone.
Magnolia Pictures
Lane became interested in the Satanic Temple after reading a2014Village Voicecover storyabout its activities.
I thought it was a joke, she says.
I actually didnt believe there was anything called the Satanic Temple.
I thought there was some people pretending there was a thing called the Satanic Temple.
My producer sent me this article.
I realized that the story waswaymore interesting.
I started to understand the totality of the work they were doing.
In fact, were very strict when it comes to our media.
My knee jerk reaction was that it was best to say, No, but politely.
We were dealing with all kinds of threats, says Greaves.
We got there and there were a bunch of armed people lingering about.
We had the KKK and some kind of neo-Nazis off to the sides.
It was deemed most appropriate for me to have my bullet proof vest on.
Greaves believes the battle is one worth fighting.
Thats a very scary precedent.
We feel the outcome is going to have ramifications for generations.
According to Greaves, Satanic Temple membership was grown dramatically.
I keep saying a hundred thousand, because thats what its been for some time, he says.
A one-and-a-half ton bronze statue is also difficult to ignore.
Where the devilisBaphomet, these days?
Oh, in our headquarters in Salem, says Greaves.
We had to have the floor reinforced, so it could support the weight.
Hail Satan?has just been released in New York and will premiere in Los Angeles, April 19.
Watch the films trailer below and an exclusive clip, above.
