Behind 'The Enemy God' Movie
Why title the film, "The Enemy God"?
As you can imagine, the title of the film has been misunderstood probably more than it has been praised - though the people who 'get it' are enthusiastic for our choice. Here is the short answer:
Yai Wanonabalewa, the Yanomamo word for the Great Spirit, can be literally translated, "The Enemy God" or "Enemy Spirit". All Yanomamo know of this Great Creator Spirit, but the other spirits the shamans communicate with and take into their bodies teach them that He hates the Yanomamo and is their enemy.
Shamans will tell about going up (in the spirit world) toward a place they call the 'heaven of heavens' where Yai Wanonabalewa lives. They describe it as very bright and very beautiful and noisy with the sound of creatures singing to the Great Spirit. But the Yanomamo shamans cannot get close to the place. Their spirits say that they are not welcome, that Yai Wanonabalewa hates the Yanomamo.
So, the point that Bautista and other former shamans want to make is that the Yanomamo already know of this Great Spirit, but they have been taught lies about him. Bautista now believes that this Enemy God is really the friend of the Yanomamo and wants to bring them peace. The story of the film is about how Bautista made that discovery and the impact of his decision on the story of his people.
Yai Wanonabalewa, the Yanomamo word for the Great Spirit, can be literally translated, "The Enemy God" or "Enemy Spirit". All Yanomamo know of this Great Creator Spirit, but the other spirits the shamans communicate with and take into their bodies teach them that He hates the Yanomamo and is their enemy.
Shamans will tell about going up (in the spirit world) toward a place they call the 'heaven of heavens' where Yai Wanonabalewa lives. They describe it as very bright and very beautiful and noisy with the sound of creatures singing to the Great Spirit. But the Yanomamo shamans cannot get close to the place. Their spirits say that they are not welcome, that Yai Wanonabalewa hates the Yanomamo.
So, the point that Bautista and other former shamans want to make is that the Yanomamo already know of this Great Spirit, but they have been taught lies about him. Bautista now believes that this Enemy God is really the friend of the Yanomamo and wants to bring them peace. The story of the film is about how Bautista made that discovery and the impact of his decision on the story of his people.
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