Hail Satan? (2019)
FeatureWhen media-savvy members of the Satanic Temple organize a series of public actions designed to advocate for religious freedom and challenge corrupt authority, they prove that with little more than a clever idea, a mischievous sense of humor, and a few rebellious friends, you can speak truth to power in some truly profound ways. As charming and funny as it is thought-provoking, Hail Satan? offers a timely look at a group of often misunderstood outsiders whose unwavering commitment to social and political justice has empowered thousands of people around the world. An inspiring and entertaining new feature documentary from acclaimed director Penny.
WORLD PREMIERE: SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2019
A Magnolia Pictures release, now streaming on Hulu.
“[W]ry and illuminating . . . could make professional lampooners like Armando Iannucci and Christopher Guest jealous.” –Ben Kenigsberg, The New York Times [Critics Pick]
“Lane sets out to subvert American history with intelligence and wit.” –Amy Nicholson, Variety
“Penny Lane might be documentary film’s most compellingly cockamamie social historian . . . Her research and collage skills are unrivaled.” –Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
“Wickedly funny, fascinating and niftily made, this crowd-pleaser will reign at festivals and prove, yet again, that the devil always has the best tunes.” –Leslie Felperin, Hollywood Reporter
“Lane’s documentary — which further cements her status as one of nonfiction cinema’s most fearless and unpredictable filmmakers — amusingly explores the idea that it’s possible to sow chaos with order as it is to sow order with chaos.” –David Ehrlich, IndieWire
“A richly entertaining new documentary on the Satanic Temple’s exploits from director Penny Lane, who has become one of our foremost chroniclers of bizarro Americana.” –Andrew Lapin, NPR
“A sincere examination of a social and political movement delivered with just a soupçon of Christopher Guest.” –Leah Greenblatt, Entertainment Weekly
“The full title of the documentary could be Hail Satan? Hail Satan!” –Emily Yoshida, Vulture
“[D]irector Penny Lane (not a pseudonym) energetically goes about shattering our preconceived notions at every intriguing turn . . . the impish spawn of Michael Moore and Kenneth Anger.” –Michael Rechtshaffen, Los Angeles Times