The HBO documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews from critics and negative reactions from the Church of Scientology (naturally) and it will now premiere on HBO on Sunday, March 29 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT). Today we have the first trailer for the doc, which comes to us from director Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side).
[amz asin=”B00A9ET54E” size=”small”]The origin of the doc is that it is based on the book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright, “Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief“, and profiles eight former members of the Church of Scientology, whose most prominent adherents include A-list Hollywood celebrities, shining a light on how the church cultivates true believers, detailing their experiences and what they are willing to do in the name of religion. Obviously Tom Cruise is a major target and many have thought it might bring a lot of negativity back Cruise’s way, negativity which he seems to have largely shed ever since the couch-jumping incident.
The heart of the doc is desribed in a press release I received describing “a series of shocking revelations by former insiders, including high-ranking and recognizable members such as acclaimed screenwriter Paul Haggis (Crash), who describe the systematic history of abuse and betrayal by Church officials, including the current leadership of the Church.”
Suffice to say, I’m fascinated in this one and am already reaching out to HBO for an early peek so I can review it myself. Watch the trailer below.
