In Jamil Said's documentary I Still Worship Zeus, which focuses on the small minority of contemporary Greeks who revere the pantheon of ancient Homeric gods, interviewees present their rationales for turning away from Greek Orthodox Christianity (which remains overwhelmingly dominant) to embrace a faith that invites public ridicule and, to some degree, governmental repression. Interwoven with the comments are clips from rituals performed in honor of the deities, including a visit to a man who has taken up residence at Delphi as a priest of Apollo (we see him delivering an oracle granted by the god to a woman anxious about the future; to be sure, the pronouncement is as ambiguous as the ones recorded from ancient times). Some of the ceremonies have a slightly absurd appearance, with participants dressing up in togas and sandals in a manner recalling enthusiasts at medieval and Renaissance fairs (not to mention Animal House). But when the film notes the vitriolic attitude that some churchmen have adopted against the movement, or looks at the government's refusal to extend rights guaranteed under European protocols, I Still Worship Zeus touches on issues of tolerance that are of universal importance. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
I Still Worship Zeus
(2004) 70 min. DVD: $29.95 ($179.95 w/PPR). National Film Network. Color cover. ISBN: 0-8026-0224-X. Volume 21, Issue 1
I Still Worship Zeus
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: