If you've seen the film, tell us what you thought.

[Tom Khazoyan]

What aspect of the film touched your heart or your mind? Was there something in particular that really grabbed your attention? Here is the place to give us your comments.

[William L. Harlan]

I finally got to see this movie on dvd a few days ago. I was very impressed with the story line and the way in which the Yanomamo were portrayed. I have first hand experience with the Yanomamo and the village of Cosh. I personally met several of the Indians portrayed in the movie and am very pleased at the actors jobs. From what I know the actors were Indians with absolutly no experience in acting. I think they did a great job. I am very glad to see the Yanomamo story told in a way all can understand. I only wish the Venezuelan Government would again allow people from the outside access to the area the Yanomamo live,because I think we can continue to help these wonderful people. We could save countless lives with medicine, access to medical treatment with transportation to hospitals. More and more education for the Indians. And of course help with the teaching of the Lord which the entire Dawson family have dedicated their lives to and are still doing through all hardships. I thank Tom Khazoyan and his whole crew and anyone who helped make this movie a reality. My only disappointment is the film was not able to be shot in the true Village locations and the real people were not used in the film.
Wm. L. Harlan

[John Vasko]

I saw the film last week at my local church, which was presented by Mike Dawson who worked on the film. I would call it a must-see for anyone concerned with spiritual warfare. It's a very intense and somewhat graphic film, not recommended for small children. The heart of the film is about the bondage these people live in, appeasing the spirits (demons) in order to thrive and survive. It's a film about the struggle of one shaman (witch-doctor) who was confronted with and who converted to Christianity. It's about the struggle he went through to resolve the things he was taught with the truths he knew, and the truths he was now hearing. His culture teaches him to `acquire spirits' that appear to make one strong, and teaches him that their enemy is the `Great Spirit'. It's interesting how the shaman's visions of the unapproachable throne of God are the same scenes described in the Bible that they never knew.

It's a compelling story that in my eyes, shatters a lot of myths that we run into in our western culture. It's interesting to hear how they know of the same God that we Christians know, but they see him as unapproachable, and as the enemy, because they instead believe and worship their spirits (demons).

One of the reasons these people wanted their story told was to dispel the myth that they somehow live great lives in paradise, and to instead show how they live in bondage, war and in fear. It also dispels the myth that we as Westerners should leave these people alone and not try to introduce them to `our God'. Instead, it shows that people everywhere thirst for truth, and that the spiritual struggle of good and evil is universal.

There are also some good trailers, behind the scenes looks, and a very good half hour interview with Mike Dawson and one of the shaman on YouTube. Check out the stories, and definitely check out this movie!

[Jesse Smith]

From Simultaneity:

I find it amazing how other cultures know or learn about God. I enjoy reading or hearing stories of people going into remote areas to talk to people about Jesus and discovering that they already knew, through dreams, tribal stories or other means. Likewise, I find ancient stories of floods and creation fascinating.

Last night I had the opportunity to see a pre-release screening of The Enemy God – it was both fascinating and disturbing. The Yanomamö people, who live in the jungles of Venezuela, take their leading from tribal Shaman. The Shamans work with spirits to lead their people through a life that is based mostly on avenging the deaths or wrong-doings that happen to them. Essentially, their life is mostly about war.

The fascinating part is that the Shamans know of a beautiful place, a place where Yai Bada (the Great Spirit) lives – but their spirits tell them they aren’t welcome. That the Spirit that lives there is the one that steals the souls of their children. He is Yai Wanonabälewä – The Enemy God.

The film is the story of a missionary that goes to live among these warring people to share that God loves them; that God can give them a life of peace. Through the film, Shake, a Shaman that has attained the highest honor (Child-Eater - to be able to kill an enemy child from afar), tells the story of how the Dawson family shared God’s love. The details the spirits leaving Shake and the spiritual warfare shows me how blessed we are…or perhaps how blind we are as the American church.

Hearing from Mike Dawson (one of the missionary children) and being friends with another of the Dawson children certainly added to the credibility of the film, but it’s an excellent piece even without those connections. Personally, though, it will help give better context to the stories that Jerald and his family share with our church.

In summation, there’s little to keep you from seeing this film and not coming away better informed. Wither you simply enjoy the stories as I do, or if you are into anthropology, history, cultural learning, missionaries, or a slew of other things, you’ll enjoy this film: regardless of your relationship with Yai Wanonabälewä.