A 2016 documentary directed by Will Allen, a former Buddhafield member and the group's official videographer for over two decades, assembled from his own archive and new interviews with former members.
Facts
Disputed
Scholarly ReceptionReviewers split on the film's craft even while agreeing on the strength of its subject: the Boston Globe treated it as a substantial account of the group's arc, while The Film Stage graded it C-, calling it "a disappointing misfire" hampered by excessive voiceover and pacing despite capturing, in its own words, "a documentary villain for the ages." 1 Recorded as debated because the two cited reviews reach opposite verdicts on the film's craft; neither is treated as the deciding account. Subject Matter
Religious Subject MatterBuddhafield, a group of roughly 150 members at its peak led by a teacher known across the years as Michel and other names, and testimony from former members that the teacher sexually exploited male disciples under cover of spiritual guidance, claims he has denied and for which no criminal charges have been filed. No ritual or devotional practice is described beyond what the two cited reviews themselves report. 2 Production
Release Year Country of Origin Classification
Rating or certificateNot Rated or Unclassified 3 Connections
Critiqued Here
A former member's own account, made independent of the group and airing abuse allegations against its teacher, not a production of Buddhafield itself.
Source Holy Hell: This Is Real Life in a Cult (Boston Globe)
Originates in Language
Source The Movie Database (TMDB): Holy Hell
Sources
1. Sundance Review: Holy Hell (The Film Stage)
2. Holy Hell: This Is Real Life in a Cult (Boston Globe)
3. The Movie Database (TMDB): Holy Hell
The Movie Database (TMDB)Page header: certification
Holy Hell (2015) NR 08/27/2015 (US) Horror , Action , and Comedy 1h 29m
Originates in Language: English, Facts panel: Original Language
Original Language English
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