Escaping Utopia

One of the problems of living in a free society is that if an individual or group is able to sustain themselves economically, they often have carte blanche to do as they will, regardless of how destructive their behavour is to others. Hence we get cryptocurrency scammers and the like; and also religious cults. This series focuses on Gloriavale, New Zealand, where a cult that sustains itself by treeting its female members as brood mares, and putting the children they spawn to unpaid work at a young age. Cult members are, it seems, not necessarily happy, but scared of an outside world in which they have been denied the opportunity to acquire any capital. The story is both utterly shocking, but also banal. Finally legal action is being taken against the cult on specific charges (unpaid labour, sexual abuse); but while I don't want to live in a dictatorship, it somehow feels wrong that such an organisation has been allowed to exist at all for half a century, exploiting and indoctrinating its members in plain sight of the rest of us.

I lived on the West Coast and I've visited Gloriavale and seen for myself the sadness and trauma inflicted on those who live there. While the concept of communal living may seem ideal to those of us trapped in the lonely cycle of rampant consumerism, Gloriavale, like all other cults, trades belonging for total control. Anyone with a passing knowledge of the teachings of Jesus Christ probably know he'd be rolling over in his grave over the goings-on inside the Cooperites compound.

This documentary covered a number of years, and intertwined beautifully shot interviews with emotionally fraught reenactments. I've watched dozens of true crime docos, and I've always wondered why the production team never made a concerted effort to recreate costumes and cast people who looked similar to those they were portraying. With this show, it actually took me watching the credits of the first episode to realise some scenes had been scripted!

The music was haunting and perfectly timed to produce tension, while the furtive movements and gestures of the cast perfectly captured the real-life Gloriavale inhabitants mannerisms and complete servitude to the cult leaders.

I would love to see an ongoing series documenting the families who've left, and how they're integrating into life outside Glorivale.

The last scenes were truly heartbreaking, and while I'm not prone to hyperbole, I dare any viewer to complete this series without shedding a tear. Or at least being moved to looking up the Gloriavale Leavers Trust to see how one can donate to the cause.

This is by far the most comprehensive series made about Gloriavale. It features a huge range of voices (including those still living there) and is a thorough account of their experiences.

It's also extremely sad. The people who have spoken out are articulate and analytical, and have had to come to terms with some pretty heavy trauma. Their analysis is philosophical and emotional all at once.

The final scenes had me in tears watching these beautiful (free) kids with their sparklers and the palpable relief of their parents ... contrasted with the reality for those who are still trapped in the community.

It's really beautifully made too. Well shot, well cut and a poignant soundtrack. They even managed to make the courtroom scenes gripping.

I'm a New Zealander and know a fair bit about Gloriavale, but this has definitely added to my knowledge base.

Particularly the analysis provided by the leavers, and by those still living on the outskirts of the community. Such a brave bunch of people.

For the person concerned that we don't hear from the leaders of Gloriavale - they were offered the opportunity but chose not to be interviewed. Their views are well represented, particularly in the very telling testimony at court. Also they're probably pretty busy at the moment with a number of serious abuse charges to defend.