Holy Hell

Director: Will Allen

Knowing very little about director Will Allen's documentary Holy Hell, I was only aware the film dealt with a spiritual group known as Buddha Field; who, in the mid-80s' formed a utopian community in California with the sole purpose of achieving enlightenment, spiritual fulfillment and happiness. But a half-hour into Allen's film, one is queasily aware of where the story will lead, which it does. We are very fortunate to have Allen's first-hand account of his time in the group, which is supplemented by his indispensable footage; made possible by his status as Buddha Field's filmographer-designate. Allen's footage; which is wed to moving, sometimes alarming first-hand recollections from former members, forms the narrative structure of his film. Allen is able to remain objective throughout in spite of unique perspective.

Watching the film, one may feel dumbstruck and bewildered, wondering how something seemingly so benign and positive could become something toxic and potentially dangerous. Allen's film is a spellbinding yet disturbing cautionary tale about the perils of being a disciple in what eventually becomes a cult.

Allen prefaces the true story with his biographical background; a relatively unremarkable childhood with his parents and two female siblings. He mentions his coming out during his teen years and how he became dissatisfied with his life while recognizing the pervasive unhappiness he saw around him. A passion for film-making arises; a voice-over factoid accompanied by shots of homemade films.

Shortly thereafter, we learn how the Buddha Field came to be and how the leader of the group; a mysterious man named Michel became the group's guru and spiritual leader. The sizeable membership (as we see in footage) consisted of young, attractive men and women; all seeking life direction, spiritual guidance or a sense of belonging. In Allen's footage, we see the group interacting, giddy with positive vibes and drunk on the energy generated by Michel. Past members talk about life in the commune; receiving spiritual edification from Michel as the group becomes a mutually-supportive, loving family.

We also learn about Michel's prescribed physical standards for the group; his intolerance for any body type that didn't fit into his lofty notions of attractiveness. In the footage of Michel walking among his followers, we see evidence of this. The leader's tanned, defined muscular torso and his sun-browned legs appear as a model physique for others to emulate.

Former members discuss Michel's proscriptions against watching T.V., movies and listening to music. Abstinence from sex is also an unwritten rule. In spite of the prohibition against sex, carnal activity persists among the members but kept "on the down low."

We see footage of Buddha Field rituals, such as one where Michel presses his thumb into the forehead of his followers, bringing them to a kind of orgasmic, spiritual ecstasy. The members become excited when Michel announces he is to select those who will receive what he calls the Knowing; a special communion with God made possible by the leader's intercession. While the select experience emotional elation, a member who is selected against tearfully recalls not being chosen; cogent evidence of Michel's capriciousness.

As viewers, we begin to wonder when the cheese will slip off the cracker and the story to take a darker turn. Sure enough, Michel relocates his community and Buddha Fields to Austin, Texas, after the situation becomes too iffy for the guru in California. In Austin the group builds a compound.

In the film, we learn how Allen's life in Buddha Fields affected his family. His relationship with his parents becomes strained as he begins to distrust them. His sisters, who were also in the group, also turn against their parents. Meanwhile, Allen's mother bemoans her children's estrangement.

In the latter half of the film; the Austin chapter, we begin to see things unravel as Buddha Fields becomes less about the community and more about Michel, whose egomania and outsize demands of his followers begin to wear on the group. Satisfying his passion for ballet, Michel has a member buy property for the sole purpose of building a theater for the group to perform plays, or more specifically, for him to star in productions. When construction is delayed, a furious Michel expresses his impatience. Other diva-like behavior includes Michel's rubdowns and massages; administered by his assistant, which must be made available twenty-four hours a day. Another member relates an incident about buying a dog, which infuriates Michel, who demands the dog be given away. The member is subsequently scolded for not asking Michel's permission.

Eventually, the disconcerting, creepy side of Michel emerges. His past as a failed actor and his short career as a gay porn star come to light. Male group members, including Michel's heterosexual assistant, begin to resist their leader's sexual coercion, but find themselves being manipulated into having sex anyway. Michel's vindictiveness becomes apparent when he discusses plans to ruin a former member financially.

As members begin to fall away and leave the life behind, their tearful feelings about being betrayed become quite poignant. One woman talks about how she left the group with $48.00 to her name. Their illusions about Michel and Buddha Field dashed, many speak of the wrenching experience of departure.

In an epilogue, we see Allen track down Michel years later in Hawaii only to find a whole new group of followers. An encounter with Michel on a Hawaiian beach serves as the film's coda.

The unasked question the film poses is: how can so many people have been so blind and complicit in Michel's chicanery? Other questions might be: how can grown men be forced to have sex, repeatedly; against their will? How could a woman willingly have an abortion at Michel's insistence? As pointed out in the film, the infamous Waco disaster unfolded a hundred miles north of the Buddha Field compound. How do people like David Koresh and Michel accrue so many followers who are willing to sacrifice their own happiness for the well-being of unstable, manipulative megalomaniacs?

A happy ending for many of the ex-Buddha Fielders seems to have been achieved, though we learn some remain with Michel to this day. For the audience, who may find themselves nauseated by this story, feelings of satisfaction and closure may elude them. Though the film doesn't end (thank goodness) in tragedy the way the Waco, Jonestown and Heaven's Gate's incidents did, we're still left with many nagging questions. In Holy Hell, we find many seemingly intelligent people can come under the sway of the most unscrupulous con-men; as if they were sleepwalkers.

Not only is Allen's film soberingly fascinating, it should serve as highly effective, preventative medication; a way to warn the emotionally vulnerable away from holy men who have no qualms about controlling others and psychically enslaving their brethren and sistren.