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Based on Lawrence Wright’s National Book Award-winning book of the same name, documentarian Alex Gibney’s Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, which premieres at the Sundance Film Festival this afternoon, explores the practices and alleged crimes committed by the Church of Scientology, which is often accused of posing as a glorified cult. Founded in the mid-1950s by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology has become one of the wealthiest, most controversial religions in the world.
After Hubbard’s death in 1986, David Miscavige became the head of the church. Since Miscavige’s reign, damaging rumors about the organization have surfaced, with former members shedding light on potential human rights violations, physical and emotional abuse by top executives (including Miscavige himself), imprisonment, brainwashing, and even third-degree murder against one of their own — Lisa McPherson. Notorious for its ties to Hollywood producers and A-list stars, including Tom Cruise (who had Miscavige as his best man in his weddings to both Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes), John Travolta, and more, Scientology, has been fighting accusations for years while also ensuring their most popular and powerful players remain on their team.
The film, which is creating a lot of buzz to say the least, seeks to explore these alleged crimes as well as the culture of Scientology. Gibney, who is seasoned at working with high profile subjects, has reportedly interviewed former members Paul Haggis, Leah Remini, and Lisa Marie Presley, along with ex-members of Scientology’s administrative branch and those who belonged to the prestigious Sea Organization.
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief will premiere today in Park City, Utah and be air on HBO on March 29th. If you can’t make it out to Utah, check out author Lawrence Wright discussing his book that become the foundation for Gibney’s film.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noDEBbqxkF0]
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