Caveh Zahedi
Can You See Me In The Eye Of God
Shout, February 2001
For many people, ingesting large quantities of powerful hallucinogens has been an effective path to achieving a divine experience. Actor Caveh Zahedi, best known for playing Peter in Citizen Ruth, met the supreme being after eating 5 grams of psilocybin mushrooms on Valentine's Day, 1993. The 30-minute documentary short I Was Possessed By God is a record of an attempt to recreate the experience. After calling his neighbors to warn them that, "there's going to be some screaming stuff," Caveh drinks a blender full of Ôshrooms. Before long, his body is twitching, his feet are kicking and his face is contorting. Caveh, or possibly God speaking through Caveh, gives words of wisdom about love, friendship, Jean Luc Godard, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Ruth Gordon. Before the holy spirit completely recedes, Caveh says, "Bye, God! Come back anytime! I have a couch and a futon!" Watching Caveh trip his balls off on video is almost like watching a demolition derby, except it feels more shamefully voyeuristic. If your palms aren't sweaty by the end, you should probably watch it again. I Was Possessed By God is available from World Artists Home Video at 323-651-0200. Visit their website, www.worldartists.com for other unusual films, like E. Elias Merhige's Begotten. -BFG