My Scientology Movie (2016)

Introduction
"My Scientology Movie" is a 2016 British documentary film about Scientology directed by John Dower. The movie includes interviews, remarkable recreations, and direct experiences related to the questionable Church of Scientology. The movie's popular figure is Louis Theroux, a prominent British-American journalist understood for his vibrant documentaries covering unknown and questionable subjects. Released by BBC Films, the documentary offers a distinct point of view on the mysterious and deceptive Church following several former members who break their silence to talk about the truths of their previous experiences.

Plot Summary
The documentary does not follow the normal route of directly diving into the history and practices of the Church of Scientology. Theroux chooses to approach his subject by trying to recreate experiences and practices within the church with the help of former high-ranking Scientologists. This includes hiring stars to portray prominent figures within the Church, such as David Miscavige and Tom Cruise.

Throughout these re-enactments, Theroux interviews ex-Scientologists about their experiences and utilizes their stories as a basis for his role-plays. The main contributor is Mark "Marty" Rathbun, a previous high-ranking Sea Org member who left the church in 2004 and is now a prominent critic. Rathbun offers personal insights and oversees the auditions and efficiencies of the actors portraying Miscavige and Cruise.

The Influence of the Church
The film is unapologetic in showing the different efforts by the Church's members to intimidate and bug Theroux and his team. As they begin making the documentary, they are constantly monitored and followed by Church members. This external pressure lends another layer of stress and pain that precisely represents the anxiety many previous members claim to feel.

Reception and Impact
"My Scientology Movie" was usually well-received by critics, who praised its humor, originality, and the giddy awkwardness of its experiments. However, the church itself dismissed the film, claiming it has plenty of incorrect details designed to create an unfavorable portrayal.

Although the film does not supply detailed insights into the Church's mentors or its appeal to followers, it successfully sets off some revealing reactions from the Church. It also provides an appealing angle about how far individuals want to go to protect their beliefs and the lengths the Church will go to preserve its privacy and control.

Conclusion
In general, "My Scientology Movie" is a special, intriguing and somewhat surreal look into the workings of an extremely protected and controversial organization. Although despite its efforts, the film does not necessarily expose new shocking truths about Scientology, but provides compelling video of the strange interactions between Theroux, the Church, and those who have actually left it. It succeeds in providing the absurdities and the risks of the organization, along with the lasting effect it has on previous members. It is not a movie that sets out to deeply interrogate Scientology's beliefs however rather scrutinize its behavior, producing an eccentric, upsetting, amusing, and sometimes chilling portrait of a notoriously secretive organization.

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