Holy Hell[/caption]
The New York premiere of 2016 Sundance sensation Holy Hell has been added to the opening weekend lineup of the 20th Annual Rooftop Films Summer Series.
This fascinating and controversial film, which features stunning home movie footage shot within a California cult over the course of 20 years, will be screened on the roof of The Old American Can Factory in Gowanus, Brooklyn on Saturday, May 21st.
HOLY HELL (Will Allen | USA | 103’)
In 1985, recent film school graduate Will Allen became a member of The Buddhafield, a Los Angeles area spiritual group. Also acting as the group’s official videographer, he began to document their activities, which centered on the mysterious leader they called Michel, or The Teacher. Over time, the group’s dark side began to surface as total devotion turned to paranoia, until finally, unexpected truths about their enlightened leader were revealed – all in front of Allen’s camera. This incredible, 22-year archive of video footage became the basis for Holy Hell. Now, for the first time since he left the group, Allen turns the camera on himself and asks fellow ex-cult members to come to terms with their past and the unbelievable deceit they experienced.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSM9KqAzp4gHoly Hell
Just out of college, a young filmmaker joins a loving, secretive, and spiritual community led by a charismatic teacher in 1980s West Hollywood. Twenty years later, the group is shockingly torn apart. Told through two decades of the filmmaker’s archival materials, this is their story.
Directed by undisclosed
Genre(s) Documentary Film
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NY Premiere of Holy Hell Added to Rooftop Films Summer Series
[caption id="attachment_11817" align="aligncenter" width="1088"] Holy Hell[/caption]
The New York premiere of 2016 Sundance sensation Holy Hell has been added to the opening weekend lineup of the 20th Annual Rooftop Films Summer Series.
This fascinating and controversial film, which features stunning home movie footage shot within a California cult over the course of 20 years, will be screened on the roof of The Old American Can Factory in Gowanus, Brooklyn on Saturday, May 21st.
HOLY HELL (Will Allen | USA | 103’)
In 1985, recent film school graduate Will Allen became a member of The Buddhafield, a Los Angeles area spiritual group. Also acting as the group’s official videographer, he began to document their activities, which centered on the mysterious leader they called Michel, or The Teacher. Over time, the group’s dark side began to surface as total devotion turned to paranoia, until finally, unexpected truths about their enlightened leader were revealed – all in front of Allen’s camera. This incredible, 22-year archive of video footage became the basis for Holy Hell. Now, for the first time since he left the group, Allen turns the camera on himself and asks fellow ex-cult members to come to terms with their past and the unbelievable deceit they experienced.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSM9KqAzp4g
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Sundance Film Fest Documentary HOLY HELL Sets May 20th Release Date
[caption id="attachment_11817" align="aligncenter" width="1088"] Holy Hell[/caption]
The documentary, Holy Hell, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival will be released in the U.S. by FilmRise. Holy Hell will be released theatrically on May 20, 2016.
The film is an inside look at a secretive, spiritual cult formed in 1980s West Hollywood. Director Will Allen joined the group just after graduating from film school and as he became more deeply involved, he began filming his experiences as the group’s unofficial videographer. It wasn’t until after Allen left the cult that he understood the film he’d been making for over twenty years. Working with producers Alexandra Johnes and ex-cult member Tracey Harnish, Allen decided to use his footage to take others on his journey. Holy Hell is executive produced by Michael C. Donaldson, Cheryl Sanders, Julian Goldstein and Academy Award®-winner Jared Leto, who describes the film as “relentless, haunting and unforgettable.”
“Following its headline-making run at Sundance, we are elated to be bringing this gripping film to audiences come spring,” said Danny Fisher, CEO of FilmRise. “Ultimately this is a remarkable film about the human condition, and I am confident that audiences will be engrossed by this captivating story, told by those who lived it.”
“I am so happy that FilmRise will be releasing Holy Hell in theaters for communities to experience together,” said filmmaker Will Allen. “This story is very personal but also universal, because it could have happened to anyone. And seeing how broadly it resonated at Sundance makes me excited to share it with the rest of the world.”
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Competition and NEXT Film Lineup Revealed for 2016 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Institute announced the 65 films selected for the U.S. Competition, World Competition and out-of-competition NEXT category set to premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, taking place January 21-31 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.