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.

This movie kicked ass and I wish it were longer! I'm fascinated by the cult mentality. The fact that there's this hive mind of acceptance. As a true crime nerd I was shocked I'd never heard of this commune. I'm very excited to show this movie to my friends.

I joined The Source Family in 1970 and remained for the duration of the experience, so I feel that my review of this documentary holds some merit. I feel the filmmakers tried to present our story as honestly as they could given their limited understanding of it, especially since the pool of people interviewed were limited in scope by distance & proximity to where the actual interviews were done. The first time that I watched the documentary, it brought back a flood of memories for me from forty years ago and was somewhat unsettling and disquieting; although after watching it a few more times it began to feel less of an intrusion on my senses. And although my son's father was featured at the very end during the credit roll performing his song Woman Beyond The Sun, but did not receive even one credit for either his song or his performance; as well as credit for his song Every Morning being given to Ahom/Robin Baker because she had recorded it....those omissions aside, I felt it was a job very well done considering the source.

The movie was interesting and lesson in that you shouldn't get sucked into these goofy groups with a charismatic leader.

Reminded me a little of reading about Ayn Rand's in-crowd "the collective," until the end, then it reminded me a lot. There is something about getting people at a young age and feeding them some inside knowledge that keeps them for life.

Of course the interviewees are self selected, I would guess there are members out there who feel fooled and ridiculous for falling for all of this non-sense and didn't want any part.

At the end we find out these people are not overly upset being the minions of a kooky sex cult leader, they even use the knowledge gained to be life coaches and whatnot, furthering the unreality

This documentary is excellent as a time-machined view back to the 1970-1975 California lifestyle as lived by a strange cult that was financed by a successful Los Angeles restaurant. It is very interesting to see so much unpolished archival footage. Thankfully it isn't "animated" or enhanced in the tacky way that other documentaries have done (In The Realms Of The Unreal). Videos, photos, and audio recordings fill-out this movie so well, that the viewer almost feels as if they are a frequent visitor to the Source Family's housing compound. Many modern interviews, both respectful and regretful, make for great color commentary on the events as they were lived by the participants. And, amazing to see Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) attest to the greatness of the ?music? produced by this group. Songs are played and concert footage is shown (Beverly Hills High School 1973) so that the viewer can then decide on the musicianship.

Both great and goofy, this movie has moments of clarity as well as opaque clouds of hazy gibberish. Luckily, the commune leader invested in recording equipment so that history can judge the transcendent quality of everything. Or the disposable folly of it all. But, there it is. A current Family archivist plays a major role in providing the raw materials seen on screen. Thankfully, the movie-makers do not inject their own viewpoints too heavily. Supposedly the Family numbered about 140, and only a fraction of that number is interviewed.

Ultimately, this movie is well worth seeing for anyone interested in cults, leaders, charisma, messiahs, hippies, hucksters, astrology, orgies, the 1960s-1970s, free love, psychedelic music, communes, utopias, and hang gliding.