Ex Jehovah's Witness films award-winning docu "Witness Underground" about a rock band
Scott Homan presents a heart-wrenching retrospective of rock musicians expressing their creativity in an oppressive cult and how some of them escaped!
Hi there
It’s been 9 years since I left the heady days in London as a ‘PA about town’ and settled into medieval Norwich, in Norfolk. How have you been?
Did you know that I was raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses from the age of 10 till I ‘escaped’ the cult at 32? If you want to know what goes on behind the firmly closed doors of this secretive mind-controlling organisation, I have news for you.
I wrote an expose about it called “Rising from the Ashes of Jehovah’s Witnesses” which I finally self-published in 2019 after 13 years hard slog. I also wrote some rock songs, see trailer link above. I now have some more news….
I was then fortunate to find an amazing young American movie producer, Scott Homan, who had also left JW.org and had a story he was burning to tell, about Nuclear Gopher. This was the name of a recording studio and website that represented an entire music and art community of 300-400 artists across multiple states! They were originally young members of the cult but found a creative outlet in their expressive music and for some, a way to leave the religion far behind them. He was interested in interviewing me because I had a band too and found making music really cathartic.
For the last 5 years Scott has been pouring his heart and soul into a documentary that he wrote and directed about these musicians called: Witness Underground (trailer). Click to see the 3 minute promo. I’ve seen it and it really pulled at my heartstrings!
He describes it as “the only documentary to humanise cult life & survival via self-expression. Within the confines of an elusive cult, a vibrant alternative music community thrived, deprogramming themselves through art. Powerful live performances punctuate tragic losses to beautifully illuminate “shunning” [completely cut off by family & community] by Jehovah's Witnesses.”
I am SO proud to now share his work with you, please click below to support:
Scott says “It would mean the world to me if you'd spread the word by simply clicking the Share buttons on the funding page in the above link. A few shares make a HUGE difference!!
If you're willing to give, know that your contribution is going directly to the finishing funds to fully release this film on streaming services professionally, so it can make the social impact we have intended from the start.”
PS…Please forward this email to friends, family, co-workers...anyone you think would be interested. The more the merrier!
I’m looking forward to hearing your news and views and where life has taken you since we last met.
Be in touch,
Denise Wise xxx
Artists who've left cults - Film & Podcast
social:
tw: @WitnessFilms
ig: @WitnessUnderground
series & podcast:
yt: Youtube.com/c/@WitnessUnderground
support: Patreon.com/WitnessUnderground
#shunning #disfellowshipped #exJW #cultthinking
