The Bridge

The beginning of this film is really quite disturbing. It opens with a training video for staff members of the c(ult)church of scientology- who are expected to bring new, paying, members into the "congregation". This is then followed by an awkwardly aggravating re-enactment of the dianetics process (a feat that would later be emulated in The Master).

The film is a fictional tale "based-on-a-true-story", written using the accounts from members who have left the cult; and blends truth and fiction by incorporating actual training videos used by the Scientologists to indoctrinate their victims into it.

Basically, it tells the story of one woman's experience as a member of the church of Scientology.

Hanover claimed that this was the only film to be made about Scientology at the time. The film was released straight to the internet, but was promptly removed because of harassment from the cult.

After releasing the film, Hanover has made this statement (I'm assuming due to barratrous harassment from the scientologist goons): "due to copyright issues, I ask that this film be withdrawn from circulation... Do not contact me concerning this film, I am no longer supporting it".

The Bridge refers to a technique that is utilized by the Scientologists to "clear" themselves of Thetans: the ghostly spirits of extraterrestrials, who were brought to earth and destroyed by Xenu- and the cause of all psychological problems).

Their longterm- and I mean very f*cking longterm- goal is to "clear" the whole planet. Very Nazi-ish (or Mormony) stuff, that is promoted largely by the Scientology elite from the SEA organization.

Here is a basic description of "The Bridge to Total Freedom" from wikipedia:

"The Bridge to Total Freedom, or simply The Bridge for short, is the fundamental Church of Scientology concept by which a person charts their progress towards higher goals. In fact, it exists as a literal chart showing the proper order of levels one must progress in Scientology before reaching Clear and ultimately, Operating Thetan.

A printed edition of this chart can be obtained at Scientology missions, churches and other orgs.

The Bridge is broken down into two parallel paths, Training and Processing. Processing addresses the Scientology devotee's "case", or how they function in life as influenced by their "aberrations". The Training path teaches Hubbard's theories on the nature of life and the universe, as well as techniques utilized in the auditing process. The participants feel that obtaining such knowledge greatly enhances their ability to be effectively engage in the auditing of another member. Scientologists can travel up either side of the Bridge and many do both sides. Although not part of the formal Bridge, the chart also lists a large number of optional courses and training actions that can be done by Scientologists."

The film is low budget, but it is nicely shot and creepy as all hell. It certainly seems to be what influenced certain elements of PT Anderson's later film "The Master" (2012). It's definitely worth a watch, if only because the Scientologists tried to have it suppressed. I found it more interesting than PT Anderson's film, to be honest!

7 out of 10.