Jonestown

The Life & Death of Peoples Temple

This New York Times Critic's Pick tells the story of the people who followed cult leader Jim Jones to the remote jungles of Guyana, South America, in a misbegotten quest to build an ideal society.

The 1960s ushered in intense social and cultural tumult; it was the Age of Aquarius, when change was in the air, and revolution was on the horizon. Some looked to free love, Black Power, or drugs. But for others, Jim Jones, the charismatic leader of Peoples Temple, offered the perfect balance of spiritual fulfillment and political commitment. Jones not only preached about integration and equality, but built an organization that provided food, clothing and shelter to his congregation and his community.

On the surface, Jim Jones and the multi-racial Peoples Temple congregation espoused the values of a model society. But upon closer examination, something was amiss. In the summer of 1977, with the publication of an expose in New West magazine, the truth about Peoples Temple was exposed. Defectors and family members gave accounts of physical, sexual and drug abuse, financial corruption, and members being held against their will. On November 18, 1978, over 900 members of Peoples Temple died in the largest mass suicide/murder in history.

Nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival.

"Surreal and heartbreaking." - Village Voice

"Chilling!" - San Francisco Chronicle