Movie spotlight
I Was Possessed by God
On Valentine's Day, 1993, Caveh Zahedi decided to ingest 5 grams (a very large dose) of hallucinogenic mushrooms. For the first time in his mushroom-taking history, he had an experience of "divine possession," in which he felt that a divine being took possession of his body and spoke through him, in a voice that was not his, and with knowledge that he himself did not possess. He later tried several times to repeat the experience. I WAS POSSESSED BY GOD is the documentary record of one such attempt.
Insights
Plot Summary
This cult classic follows a series of eccentric characters in Baltimore whose lives become intertwined through bizarre circumstances and questionable decisions. The film offers a satirical look at societal norms and personal obsessions, all filtered through Waters' signature provocative and campy lens. It's a journey into the absurd where faith, desire, and delusion collide.
Critical Reception
As a lesser-known early work by John Waters, 'I Was Possessed by God' has garnered a cult following among fans of his unique brand of underground cinema. It's appreciated for its raw, independent spirit and Waters' characteristic subversion of mainstream tastes. While not as widely reviewed as his later, more accessible films, it is celebrated for its audacious themes and ensemble cast of his frequent collaborators.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its unflinching, transgressive humor.
Appreciated for its unique, low-budget aesthetic and outsider perspective.
Seen as a quintessential example of John Waters' early, more extreme filmmaking.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this particular film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
This film is actually a compilation of John Waters' earlier short films, presented as a feature-length piece, and did not receive a wide theatrical release in the traditional sense.
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