The general public often sees documentaries as an accurate representation of a certain. Despite this opinion, documentaries are not always an accurate medium for truthful information. From the perspective of a filmmaker, the art of the documentary is used to bring light to a certain injustice; in hopes to make significant change in society. In attempting to achieve this goal, filmmakers skew the information presented to present their point of view. This skewing of information can include, interviews and information that support the main thesis of the documentary. This can often result in a negative representation of a group of people. This idea is demonstrated in the documentary, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief. The religion …show more content…
These interviews are from different degrees of ex-Scientologists, all with different backgrounds. One of the most effective interviews was from Michael Rinder. Rinder is an ex-Scientologist who is a former Senior Executive of Scientology. He was often responsible for overseeing corporate, legal and public affairs surrounding the church. He also had close ties to Scientology’s leader, David Miscavage. Now, since leaving the Church in 2007, Rinder speaks out against the corruption and manipulation that he alleges is intertwined within the foundation of Scientology. One of the most pertinent points from his interview was his description of the physical abuse he claims he endured whilst in the Church of Scientology. In response to the question if Miscavage ever physically abused Rinder he states, “Many times. Perhaps more than anybody else,” (Gibney, “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief). Also, Rinder is very open about his regretful actions completed within the Church. Of these actions include, attempting to cover up the demoralization of the Church. The combination of Rinder claiming that the leader of Scientology physically abused him, and Rinder’s openness about his regret in ever being associated with the Church of Scientology, helps provide backing information to the …show more content…
Specifically, one example is the inclusion of the Church of Scientology’s journey to becoming a tax-exempt religion. The journey to becoming tax-exempt is not presented as one of morality, in which the Church would become tax-exempt in order to better the community and surrounding world, but as one of mal intent. The Church, according to the documentary’s presentation, became tax-exempt to funnel more money into lavishes of a high officials lifestyle. In the narration it is stated that the presentation, in which the achievement of becoming a tax-exempt organization was announced, was less of a celebration but more of a demonstration of, “Nazi-symbolism,” (Gibney, “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief). In using language comparing leaders of Scientology to an extreme such as that of the Nazi party, the viewer will automatically assume that Scientology is similar in that it is an organization set to brainwash people. This helps again, portray Scientology in a dissenting manner, furthering the attempted message of the