Holy Hell - Documentary

[Can Won]

Hi :),
I watched this recently released documentary on Netflix with my wife the other evening and it appears to be a pretty good insight of life within a cult over the course of 22 years, particularly with regards to the mind games being played by the "leader", Michel and the manipulation of his devotees.
Having read all about what goes on within a cult, its well worth watching to actually "see" what is going on...

Directed by Will Allen, the film chronicles several members’ journeys from the time they joined the Buddhafield cult until their departure. Will Allen was in the Buddhafield cult for 23 years, and served as the cult’s unofficial videographer. Led by a mysterious guru named Michel, Holy Hell reveals how innocent spiritual seekers can be ensnared by dangerous teachings. Holy Hell takes viewers on a riveting ride, as the type of manipulation and tactics cult leaders use to control followers is revealed. The movie also delivers a brutal look at the devastation left as followers choose to leave.

As you watch the members’ stories unfold, you begin to ask yourself questions such as what is a cult, what are the signs of a cult and how do you know if the group you are in is a cult? The definition for cult is broad and those of varying faiths often have different interpretations. While most members easily identify the Buddhafield as a cult, they admit they didn’t see the truth for decades. Even though Michel allegedly used abusive and subversive practices, they overlooked the negative aspects and focused on the positive. So what exactly is a cult? When should people leave their place of worship because it has become too negative? How do people know if they are in a cult?

The simple answer is freedom. Do you have the freedom to state your questions, concerns or complaints? Can you criticize the group freely? Will critiques cause insightful dialogue on ways to change or improve the group or will it cause you to be ostracized? Cult leaders are above reproach and Michel was no exception. He did not allow his followers to question him and convinced them his connection to God was so divine, to leave the group meant to be out of God’s will. The Buddhafield disciples didn’t have freedom to question Michel’s teachings or disagree with them. Michel demanded complete submission and loyalty from his followers, even when he broke the established rules. There are many signs and symptoms a group is a cult or spiritually oppressive, dangerous or manipulative. For many, however, the inability to question the group’s teachings, belief system or leader is a sign you are in a cult. If you cannot question a group or the leader without facing reprimand and consequences, you are not in a spiritually healthy environment.
Holy Hell may be the first film produced by former members that provides a comprehensive look at life in a cult and illustrates how difficult it can be to break free from those strongholds. While there is great admiration for those who were able to leave the group and reclaim their lives, the fact remains that Buddhafield continues in Hawaii with the same leader and allegedly the same practices.

It's certainly interesting and perhaps even bewildering to see how far people are prepared to go, to become "enlightened".

Chris Johnston, a former member, had this to say;

There's this social interplay that happens between highly codependent people and pathological narcissists. Who is going to give a person who needs constant adoration and attention, who is going to give that to them, ceaselessly? Somebody who relies on him as the source of their self-esteem. And they'll say, "You seem like a normal, rational, intelligent human being. How did this happen to you?"... It's what we do every time we come into a religion. We take on their beliefs as truth. You will do anything to defend that truth. You subjugate your best interests to the interests of the religion, the group, the corporation... And so, the better you feel, the more you get committed. And then, somebody can get you to do anything. I mean, I would have killed or died for him. It's so common, it's everywhere. Look around you, you've got a cult in your town, I almost guarantee you.

Anyway, here's the link to the trailer... https://youtu.be/2f2BG43JW0o

 

[SummerLite]

I watched this last night and its an interesting, bizarre story. Following on the heels of Wild Wild Country, this group also began in the mid 80's, a time for enthusiastic, guru groups forming it seems. Like the Rajneesh devotees, what first caught my interest in this film was the group mind, all the followers agreed to participate in but slowly another, darker story unfolded. For 20+ years, an extreme, pathological narcissist had the total devotion of his worshiping followers who followed his every command. By the end of the film, he doesn't appear to be even human and one former devotee called him evil. It's a case study of an extreme narcissist having every impulse for self glorification fulfilled and how he was transformed.

At the time this film was produced (2016), Michel had been moved to Hawaii (by part of the group) with the understanding, no charges would be brought against him as long as he never formed another group. Well, he did gather followers around himself again as an eerie segment at the end of the film shows. He enters a store and is followed a short distance behind by a group of followers with their heads hanging down, slowly walking as if in a trace, they actually seem zombie like.

So this film is his pay back and the charges brought.

 

[Jones]

The full movie is now on youtube. The title was mentioned in a vid on covert narcissists and co-dependents where it was suggested that those with co-dependent tendencies are more likely to be hooked into a cult.