An inside look at a West Hollywood cult formed by a charismatic teacher in the 1980s that eventually imploded.
Director:
Will Allen
From metacritic.com
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Title: Holy Hell (2016)
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4 nominations.
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Edit
Cast
| Credited cast: | |||
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Amy Allen | ... | Herself |
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Cristala Allen | ... | Herself |
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Gina Allen | ... | Herself |
| Will Allen | ... | Himself (as William Francesco Allen) | |
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Jennifer Baca | ... | Herself |
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Alessandra Burenin | ... | Herself |
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Vera Cheiffo | ... | Herself |
| David Christopher | ... | Himself | |
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Phillipe Coquet | ... | Himself |
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Radhia Gleis | ... | Herself |
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Julian Goldstein | ... | Himself |
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Michel Gomez | ... | Himself |
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Greg Gorey | ... | Himself |
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Murti Hower | ... | Himself |
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Chris Johnston | ... | Himself |
Edit
Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
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Storyline
An inside look at a West Hollywood cult formed by a charismatic teacher in the 1980s that eventually imploded.
Plot Keywords:
deception | bare chested male | hairy chest | west hollywood | cult |Genres:
DocumentaryParents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
27 May 2016 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Kulten fra Californien See more »Filming Locations:
Oahu, Hawaii, USAEdit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$2,730, 3 June 2016, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$16,905, 5 June 2016Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
16:9 HD
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Written by Francis Zambon (as Mark James)
Performed by B.J. Thomas
Courtesy of Scepter Records
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Director Will Allen joined the cult when he was 22, after he was forced to leave home when his mother discovered he was gay. See more »Quotes
Chris Johnston: There's this social interplay that happens between highly codependent people and pathological narcissists. Who is going to give a person who needs constant adoration and attention, who is going to give that to them, ceaselessly? Somebody who relies on him as the source of their self-esteem. And they'll say, "You seem like a normal, rational, intelligent human being. How did this happen to you?"... It's what we do every time we come into a religion. We take on their beliefs as truth. You will do...See more »
Crazy Credits
Closing song written and performed by _Cabot Budlong_ former member for 20 years. Abused, still surviving... See more »Soundtracks
Hooked on a FeelingWritten by Francis Zambon (as Mark James)
Performed by B.J. Thomas
Courtesy of Scepter Records
See more »
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I don't review movies here BUT I read the extremely negative reviews and was curious. All were by new members with this being either their only review or maybe one or two additional ones done soon after to legitimize their reviewing credentials. Obvious plants by the still faithful. Sadly they are still out there.
Their reviews did not have the result intended. They piqued my curiosity and I sought out this film. If you are fascinated by cults or a fan of documentaries seek this film out. It's a rare thing to have this much inside footage of a cult leader and his followers in action. To outsiders the machinations of this vain Svengali seem transparent and obvious. So vain that he was the one who had all of this footage shot. Meeting the members you gain insight, sympathy and understanding as to how and why seemingly intelligent, aware individuals can be swept up by someone and something like this.
The film is well constructed, clear, emotional and does have a point of view. That point of view is what gives this film it's fire and passion. It's made by ex cult members and boy are they angry. It doesn't pretend to be a cold, objective view on what went on there and I think it is better for it. Imagine a film about Scientology made by angry ex-members or a film about the Manson family made by a disillusioned, embarrassed, remorseful ex-member. Oh the truths we'd learn!
My only complaint is that I wanted a cathartic confrontation with the cult leader at the end. There is a confrontation but it seems muted and sad rather than explosive and angry.
See this well made documentary if you can. It's an eight but I'm giving it a ten to counterbalance those idiotic one star reviews.