Scientology folks...Going Clear the Documentary.

[Jalapeñomel]

Apparently, it's giving Sundance goers a shock.  I'm dying to see it. 


link


PARK CITY, Utah — Secrecy shrouded the controversial documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, which premiered Sunday at the Sundance Film Festival.

Rumors swirled about massive protests, prompting filmgoers to arrive hours in advance to assure they got a seat.

Security was heightened, but no threats materialized.

The festival's most hotly anticipated documentary did not disappoint, however. The revelations were almost as numerous as the number of lawyers HBO Documentary Films hired to vet the movie (160).

The scathing exposé directed by Alex Gibney (The Armstrong Lie) is based on Lawrence Wright's riveting 2013 bestseller.

Among the bombshells asserted by eight former church members: Scientology intentionally broke up Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman; it tortured some of its members in a prison known as "the hole" and subjected others to hard labor; it harassed those who left the organization and forced their family members to cut off all contact.

The film offers an intimate portrait of founder L. Ron Hubbard (or LRH as he's referred to by members) and follows the rise of current leader David Miscavige, alleging his misuse of power and that he physically abused several members.

The film also claims that Hubbard beat and threatened his first wife and kidnapped their daughter, leaving her in Cuba in the care of a mentally disabled woman. It also detailed Hubbard's elaborate cosmology incorporating space aliens, invading spirits, volcanoes and other elements that his sci-fi writing had contained.

One of the former members interviewed, Marty Rathbun, was the second highest-ranking church official before he defected. He alleged that Miscavige didn't approve of Kidman because her father is a well-known psychologist in Australia, and Scientology vehemently opposes psychiatry and psychology.

The film goes on to explore the close friendship between Miscavige and Cruise, and questions whether Cruise is aware of church abuses. The filmmaker essentially calls upon Cruise to renounce Scientology in order to put a stop to the abuses.

It also alleges that another high-profile member, John Travolta, won't leave the church out of fear that his personal life will be exposed. Reams of information are kept on each member as they go through the process of "auditing" in order to become "clear" of all problems, worries and bad memories.

Spanky Taylor, a former publicist and friend of Travolta, details how her infant daughter was taken away from her and left in a urine-soaked crib and unsanitary, fly-infested conditions. Meanwhile, Taylor was forced to do arduous physical labor while she was pregnant. Fed up, Taylor took her child and escaped from the church. She attended the premiere with her daughter Vanessa, now grown, whom Gibney called "the stolen baby."

Several of the former members who spoke out in the documentary — and also in Wright's book — were on hand for the Sunday premiere, and drew a standing ovation.

"You're so thoroughly indoctrinated, deluded and not questioning anything because (Hubbard) had all the answers," said Taylor. "So you continue to believe all the nonsense.''

Gibney said he has received "many cards and letters" from Scientology's lawyers.

"The kinds of threats that I've received, and Alex as a filmmaker, have been predominantly legal and they have been manifold," said Wright. "But nothing compared to what the people who were in the church suffered."

Wright lauded those who spoke out in the documentary. "I want to emphasize what a tremendous amount of courage it took for people to come out," he said. "The goal was to get as many people to talk so they'd feel safe in numbers."

The film reveals the church to have fewer than 50,000 members worldwide but more than $1 billion in assets.


The former members interviewed, including screenwriter Paul Haggis and others high up in the organization, described how they turned over vast sums of money to the church. They used terms like ''brainwashing'' and each expressed remorse and chagrin over their involvement with the organization, which was granted church status by the IRS in 1993, making it tax-exempt.

Scientology's fight against the IRS was detailed, as was a lavish celebration thrown by Miscavige and Scientology officials when the "war" with the federal government ended in the group's victory.


The film also featured moving emotional testimony from a lifelong member who had achieved the highest status in the church but left when her son was labeled "a suppressive person." The organization demanded that her daughter, still a member, and granddaughter, cut off all contact.

"The hope of this film is that it will raise public awareness," said Gibney.

[Jalapeñomel]

I can't be the only one who finds Scientology fascinating!

[cinderbella]

I want to see this!

[nahoku]

One of the producers is a friend of mine from high school! I really want to see it, too.

[Eagles]

I've had the book on my to-read list for months. I need to just grab it already.

[Eagles]

Also, where is Shelley?

[panicked]

I really want to see it! I've read a few autobiographies from people who have escaped and it amazes me that this pseudo-religion has invaded almost everything. Politics, government, Hollywood, etc...

[trafficgirl]

This looks so interesting to me.

[Marle]

Wow! I have to see this.

I forget where this theory comes from but apparently JRH once said amongst author friends that the real money was in founding a religion; and someone either made him a bet or he said he'd prove it to them.

[chickadee77]

Ooh, just checked this out on my Kindle. Thanks!

[ErinExpat]

I heard about it and was looking for a trailer. Anyone see one?

[lilafowler]

I am SO excited for this.

[gottadobe]

I can't wait to see this.

[ElizabethBennet]

I want to see this as well. We have some family that are scientologists and they're just weird.

[elleblue]

Definitely looking forward to seeing this documentary.

[kaybee85]

Ohh, I'm really interested in this!

[cookie510]

I really want to see this. My in-laws are scientologists.

[browneyedgirl9]

Lurker from mmm. I am fascinated by Scientology, or any cult like groups. Cant wait to see this! I need to read the book.

[lilac05]

That sounds fascinating.

It makes me so angry that someone needs to be recognized as being incredibly brave for speaking out against a religion they used to practice (due to threats). If Scientology was legit, as they claim, they'd have an answer (or apology) for everything and wouldn't need to threaten anything.

ETA:  I just sent my h to the library to check this book out for me.  

[Jalapeñomel]

Jan 31, 2015 14:48:30 GMT -5 cookie510 said:

I really want to see this. My in-laws are scientologists.

Really?  And they are able to communicate with you (assuming you are not a scientologist)?

[cookie510]

Jan 31, 2015 15:31:09 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Jan 31, 2015 14:48:30 GMT -5 cookie510 said:

I really want to see this. My in-laws are scientologists.

Really?  And they are able to communicate with you (assuming you are not a scientologist)?

We are not scientologists and yes they can communicate with us.  We live in CT and there are not many scientologists around here.  My FIL is actually in LA right now being audited and we won't speak to him until he is on his way home.  And we don't know when he will be home - it's whenever he completes his "program".

I am not close with my inlaws and I am very anti this part of their lives so I don't know a lot about it.

[pandorica]

I really need to get this book! I hope the library has it.

[Jalapeñomel]

I have an e-copy of this book, if anyone wants it, send me a PM.

[cville]

I'm obsessed. I hope this comes to a theater by me.

[aprilsails]

I read the book this fall and then passed it on to my Mom and then we dissected it obsessively.

I am really interested in seeing the movie. I am so surprised at some of the information that came to light.

[Deleted]

Oh yes, I want to see it. The HBO Documentary Films facebook page ran a recent article & it says they'll be running it. I'm also dying to see The Hunting Ground doc about college rapes.

[Kristinmo]

Jan 31, 2015 15:31:09 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Jan 31, 2015 14:48:30 GMT -5 cookie510 said:

I really want to see this. My in-laws are scientologists.

Really?  And they are able to communicate with you (assuming you are not a scientologist)?

It's my understanding that they only shun former members of the church but can talk to those who have never been members.

[textbookcase]

I'm interested in reading the book and seeing the documentary...I am weirdly obsessed with cults and things of that nature.

[jigsy]

I tried to see this. It was impossible to get tickets...I ended up seeing a doc about porn

[vampsterdam]

Jan 31, 2015 22:10:01 GMT -5 jigsy said:

I tried to see this. It was impossible to get tickets...I ended up seeing a doc about porn

The one produced by Rashida Jones? I think, Hot Girls Wanted?

If so, what did you think? I tried searching for a trailer, but had no luck.