The Ezidis of Iraq (Yazidis) … The Soul in Peril is an in-depth study of Iraq and Kurdistan’s unique and often misunderstood Ezidi religion. This outstanding ethnography by Eric Connor chronicles the 2011 Cenja Cemaiya, the Ezidi’s yearly pilgrimage to the holy site of Lalish. In excellent documentary form, the narration only interrupts the action on screen when an explanation is needed. Most of the time, the film simply documents the various rites, rituals, songs, and festivities that accompany the week-long feast.
The culture is insulatory, but at the same time, it is widely accepting and understanding of others. The religion itself has roots that go back perhaps 6000 years. While often labeled as simply Christians for their belief in a singular god and Jesus, they have many rites, wisdoms, and teachings taken from other religions and a creation story that mirrors that in Zoroastrianism. Issues such as the existence of free will, good, and vice are from the same god they believe in, and because of this, they have been often labeled devil worshipers through time. It is a complex and ever-changing religion based upon the idea that the first man was created on the land where the temple at Lalish stands today.
While it can be a tad dry, it is a perfect source of information. At only 72 minutes in run time, it skillfully fills every moment with footage of rarely-documented rituals and allows the followers of this esoteric and ancient religion to speak for themselves. This reviewer was captivated from the beginning. They speak with both the highest-ranking holy men and individual followers alike, sometimes asking hard questions. The responses are honest and often very insightful. They discuss misconceptions by westerners and neighbors alike such as the baseline assumption of simple Christianity and where their beliefs come from. Its ability to honestly and accurately show and occasionally explain the religion and culture make The Soul in Peril a nearly perfect ethnography. This rare glimpse into the world of the Ezidi is highly recommended for any documentary collection. Aud: H, C, P