Scientology retaliates against filmmaker investigating church by making a documentary about him
Samir Hussein/Getty
But this time, Scientology is actively striking back.
British documentary filmmaker and broadcaster Louis Theroux, who is known for his funny TV series on off-beat cultural subjects like "America's Most Medicated Kids" and "Twilight of the Porn Stars," is working with the BBC on his first theatrical feature that will focus on Scientology, titled "Stairway to Heaven: Louis Theroux and the Church of Scientology."
It doesn't seem Scientology is pleased.
Thursday, Theroux tweeted that he got some interesting news from Scientology's lawyers.
Just been informed by Scientology lawyers that Scientology is working on a documentary about me. Little bit excited; little bit nervous.
- Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) April 23, 2015
But from what Theroux is tweeting, his film is going to be very different from Gibney's HBO documentary.
He hasn't been shy in letting the world know he's making the film.
Open call to any #Scientologists out there. I would love to speak to you for a documentary I am working on. About Scientology.
- Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) February 10, 2014
The idea is it for it to be a non-judgmental inquiry into Scientology beliefs and practices, from inside the Church. #scientologydocumentary
- Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) February 10, 2014
And hasn't worried about the religion knowing he's at their front door.
Dun dun dunnnn!!! pic.twitter.com/QhL8OsO9A1
- Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) July 22, 2014
Theroux has made a point to let us know he's not making "Going Clear."
I have now seen Going Clear and I'm pleased to say our #Scientology doc is very different.
- Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) April 21, 2015
What exactly is Theroux making? Here's a hint posted by Tony Ortega over at his The Underground Bunker blog.
Here are excerpts from the above text:
Louis Theroux's first theatrical feature documentary from the Oscar winning producer of "Searching for Sugar Man" and "Man on Wire"
One of the world's newest and most mysterious religions, that numbers Tom Cruise among its followers… A scientific-seeming "technology" which, if properly followed, is said to make the able more able…
On the face of it, who wouldn't be intrigued - even seduced - by this grand rhetoric?
For more than 10 years, Louis Theroux has been in the grip of a personal fascination with Scientology. Now living in Los Angeles in the heart of the world's largest population of Scientologists, he has decided to immerse himself in what he regards as "the Holy Grail of Stories."
This is not the first time Scientology will releases materials on a director or reporter before a story comes out the church thinks puts them in a negative light.
In 2007, leading up to an episode of BBC's Panorama series focusing on the church, Scientology posted a rant on YouTube by BBC reporter John Sweeney captured during his interview with Scientologist spokesman, Tommy Davis.
Then leading up to "Going Clear," the church released videos trying to discredit Gibney.
But if Theroux's tweet is correct, this will be the first time the church does a documentary on someone examining the church.
Scientology did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
"Stairway to Heaven" currently has no set release date.
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