The Source Family

This is a documentary about the so-called 'Source Family'--a cult built around an odd guru in California. This man, who renamed himself 'Father Yod', slowly took the group from one that saw him as a great spiritual leader to a god-like being who should be obeyed without question. This is actually pretty typical of many of the cults of the era but what makes this one a little confusing is the ending. Now, many years later, his followers are interviewed--and some sound as if they STILL think he was god, some see him as flawed but a good part of their lives and a few see him as a huckster--though this seems like the minority. So, if you are looking for clear answers, this isn't what you'll find. Instead, it's a film that you watch and make of it what you will. As for me, I found it mildly interesting but nothing more. In fact, I got far less out of it than "Commune"--a similar sort of documentary that was made very interesting due to folks' insights into their group today.

Just seems to justify their behaviours and the cults tactics. Sad that even now most seem to be still taken in by it all. This film is far not nearly critical enough and takes to long to look at the danger it was from the beginning. Cults and religions only divide people.

A bit of 70's nostalgia. It's very much like most cult groups around that time. A contradictory older man reinvents himself and is elevated by rebellious kids who believe they're on a path to a higher purpose. Of course it's all BS, it's an opportunity to take drugs, rock out, and have sex with strangers (under age strangers). No matter the warning signs the panties just drop. Back then there were so many groups/cults getting around it was almost a competition of "we're the chosen ones!" I think the best thing to come out of the cults is studying the the way youth can be manipulated with hope and promise. The free life they come for, offered by their leader, always becomes far worse than where they came from, in this case it wasn't able to truly get that far. Drugs and mantra go together like peas and carrots. But, you can't deny that feeling of family and love they created.

The reviewers so far are commenting on their opinion of the SUBJECT of the film, not the filmmaking.

The job of the filmmakers is to get a reaction and experience the subject - good, bad or indifferent.

This is a terrific documentary. I have rarely seen a doc that has been so well researched and has so much archival material. Plus they have tracked down all these folks who were originally part of this crazy, cultural experiment. Amazing story.

As a cultural document is so strong, but with the addition of all the insider participation it transforms itself into a one-of-a-kind experience. One of the best of the recent Americana docs. - thanks.

This documentary is pretty much the ultimate in "okay Boomer." In fact I'm finding some of the rave reviews of this documentary comical, as if they think there was really something complex and ultra-spiritual actually going on.

Father Yod was an alcoholic, a drug addict, a millionaire, and a murderer. So let's start there, okay?

A deranged teen girl who was basically "dying" according to herself and a neighborhood friend, fell in love with him as a father figure who saved her life. It's not unusual for someone taken in at such a young age under dire circumstances by a wealthy, powerful person to feel you owe that person something for life. Happens all the time, every day. They also did lots of speed together, as far as I can gather. Like, yeah, man. Like speed doesn't make people even more insane and selfish and abusive than alcohol. It's not exactly known as the spiritual peace drug.

So anyway, people as young as TWELVE (though some look to have been in their early-to-mid 20s...possibly) were all looking for a dad. They thought he was a baddie. They were impressed by his murders and his millions. Sounding spiritual to you yet? I didn't think so.

THEN (oh then) his "commandments" were to worship HIM like a god. "You must love your Earthly Father more than yourself." Yikes on several bikes, dude.

Sure, you're a lost kid living in a crappy apartment in LA, maybe abused by your own parents, or just kicked out by some rigid conservative Republican types who refused to pay for college or to help their young adult children get started....and A RICH GUY who has KILLED PEOPLE tells you he's god, and gives you drugs. Oh, he also buys a mansion for you all to live in. I don't see any big secret sauce here. This is fairly standard reasons why someone would take a shine to someone during a hard, desperate time in their lives - especially at a tender age like 12 or 19 or even 23.

I'm aghast and these rich old people still talking about Father Yod like he really had something going on. Saw one review that marveled that a group of privileged white Boomers living in a mansion in LA did well for themselves. Oh my god.