This woman was interrogated by cult leaders

04/02/24 • 85 min

This woman was interrogated by cult leaders. Female Hollywood writer, actor, director, Bonnie Root, explores the system of manipulation, abuse, and control in the Jehovah Witnesses and the film industry. We dive into her experience with a cult Judicial Committee, sexual interrogations, her award-winning film, "Sissy" about grooming of teens, The Movie, a physchological thriller, and her new ExJW film coming out, Diary of Heather Keating, a narrative exposing the Judicial Committee for the abuse common in the Jehovah's Witness system of punishment.
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We met because my Witness Underground documentary and her film, THE MOVIE, both played at GenreBlast Film Festival. The director, Michael Mandell, approached me after seeing Witness Underground to let me know that Bonnie Root, the star actor in his film, THE MOVIE, was also a former Jehovah's Witness. I invited her to our California film premiere in Los Angeles at the Filmocracy Film Festival. A bunch of ExJW's showed up and we've been in touch ever since.
I'm so excited to be able to share her amazing work with you!
In this gripping narrative directed by Bonnie Root, a prominent female director in Hollywood, the harrowing realities of religious oppression and manipulation come to light. Her experience being interrogated and abused by cult leaders has shaped much of her life and empowered her to expose this religion for what it really is, a dangerous manipulative control cult. Her films delve into the depths of cruelty within religious processes, highlighting the systemic violations of women's rights.
This woman's journey unfolds as she faces offensive religious interrogations and manipulative control tactics by the Jehovah Witnesses' judicial committee. Through Root's lens, we witness the profound impact of the system of manipulation, abuse, and control within this organization.
"Diary of Heather Keating," scripted by Root, promises a raw exploration of narcissistic abuse within the context of religious communities. Root's previous work on "Sissy" has established her as a formidable force in shedding light on sensitive topics, particularly the destructive form of grooming common in this cult.
She confronts the reality of women's rights violations and the insidious nature of religious oppression processes. Experience the power of storytelling to expose the truth to ignite global awareness and change.
🎬 👁️‍🗨 In her gripping psychological thriller, The Movie, Bonnie Root, who once endured the negative experiences of an abusive cult, the Jehovah's Witnesses, takes us on a journey through the real inspiration behind horror. Join us as she shares profound insights into the parallel themes of abuse, drawing from her own life experiences.
🔍 Bonnie Root's portrayal as a Hollywood actress mirrors the haunting realities of her past. Discover the chilling narrative of a repairman tormenting a washed-up actress in her own home, echoing the psychological trauma she endured within the confines of the abusive Jehovah's

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Asheville AVL Film director - Audio Engineer at AuxBus - Libsyn

Ryan DuVal, software engineer and old friend from Colorado, was the only person I asked to help produce Witness Underground. He flew up from Asheville North Carolina as our producer in Minneapolis and was the guiding light for multiple editing revisions.
He brought a fresh perspective to the project that became essential in telling this deep nuanced story.
This episode was recorded at the Auxbus podcast studio in Asheville, a start-up where he pioneered the audio software we recorded this on. He interviews me and my personal back story for the first time. (Auxbus was later bought by Libsyn and his software is their trademark audio editing software for their podcast distribution company).
This was recorded on the heals of our production together, and after story-lock in our documentary post-production phase. He had a huge hand in the production influencing the story, and pulling out many valuable moments across our interviews. He also ran sound, wrote interview questions, and asked the interview questions, co-directing the storytelling. He also ran second camera for interviews, live performance music videos, and also some of the side stories that made it into the film, among many additional roles that we shared.
He was essential in the creation of this film. Enjoy this episode as he digs into my back story and the creation of this film, the XJW Coming Out series, and this podcast.
Thanks Ryan!

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Next Episode

Kicked out of religion - social punishment - Decult Cult Awareness

We’re excited to announce that Lindy Jacomb will be one of the speakers at Decult Cult Awareness Conference 2024! Lindy co-hosts the Cult Chat Podcast and runs the Olive Leaf Network, an organization dedicated to providing aid and advocacy for former members of high-demand religious groups. Lindy herself is a religious refugee, having been kicked out of her religion—the Exclusive Brethren (Plymouth Brethren)—at just 20 years old. She faced the extreme social punishment of ostracization, being completely cut off from her family and community, a reality that many cult survivors experience when they leave these controlling environments.
Get your Livestream ticket here: https://events.humanitix.com/decult-cult-awareness-conference-tickets
In this episode, Lindy delves into her personal journey of leaving the Exclusive Brethren and the challenges of life after a cult. She discusses how shunning, a form of emotional abuse and isolation, is used to punish dissenters, with families being coerced into severing ties to maintain their own salvation. Now, Lindy offers crucial support through the Olive Leaf Network to others who have escaped abusive relationships within high-control religious groups.
As a key speaker at the Decult Cult Awareness Conference, Lindy will share her insights and the powerful stories of other cult survivors. This New Zealand event in Christchurch will feature discussions on cult recovery, religious refugee experiences, and the emotional abuse faced by those leaving such groups.
Join us for this compelling conversation as part of the Decult Cult Awareness Conference channel takeover. Don’t miss out—grab your live stream ticket today to hear these important stories!
Lindy co-hosts the Cult Chat Podcast and runs the Olive Leave Network that provides aid and advocacy for former members of high-demand religious groups.
This episode is part of the Decult Cult Awareness Conference channel take over where we introduce you to a number of the leading speakers at Decult. The new Witness Underground documentary will also have it's international premiere at Decult.
#Decult #WitnessUnderground #highcontrolgroups
Don't miss this opportunity to hear these important discussions by grabbing your live stream ticket today! Make sure to support the conversation, help spread awareness, and secure your ticket to the live stream of the Decult Conference!
https://events.humanitix.com/decult-cult-awareness-conference-tickets
#LiveStreamEvent #cultsurvivor #ReligiousFreedom #ExJW #cultawareness #ReligiousInvestigations #excult #excultmember #supportsurvivors #ōtautahi #newzealand #aotearoa #christchurch #savethedate #CultAwareness #cult #decult2024 #EmotionalAbuse #Shunning
#Decult #CultChatPodcast #OliveLeafNetwork #ChristchurchEvent2024 #ReligiousRefugee #CultRecovery #EscapingCultPodcast #PlymouthBrethrenChurch #NewZealandEvent #LifeAfterACult #SupportSurvivors #CultSurvivorsStories

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