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PREVIOUS BROADCASTS INCLUDE: HD NET USA, Canal + Poland, YLE Finland, Czech TV, Sic Portgual
Behind Scientology's high celebrity profile lies an organisation on its knees. In this powerful documentary, a band of former elite members emerge from the secretive religion to allege extreme cruelty, slave labour and financial greed. "It may have a philosophy that's religious, but it's strictly business", says former scientologist Joe Reaiche. Joining at the age of 19, Joe advanced quickly through the mysterious levels of learning at the heart of Scientology. At each level he was asked for a fee, which would eventually amount to approximately 250 000 dollars. When Joe voiced his doubts about the church, he was expelled, and all communication with his wife and children cut off. "What we are seeing is a worldwide pattern of abuse and criminality", says Senator Nick Xenophon.
"Only a mad man says he isn't mad", grins L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the church of Scientology, in some rare archive footage. At the time, Hubbard was in trouble with authorities all over the world, and he had fled to the high seas with his band of devoted followers. According to Hana, an early member of the Church, conditions on-board were "abominable", and punishments for breaking the church's strict rules were extreme: "people were thrown overboard - hands and feet bound and blindfolded".
Hubbard's culture of unwavering obedience and extreme discipline survived his own passing in 1986. Joe describes how a religious retreat he was sent to for sloppy work, was nothing less than a "slave camp". "Members who are failing or incapable of performing well can be given the voluntary opportunity for a period of reflection, rehabilitation, redemption", defends Tommy Davis. Of Joe's separation from his family, Tommy is less glib: "any church has a right to not welcome in its ranks those who mean the church harm."
There's a growing number of ex-members who the church now views in this suspicious manner, many of whom claim to be dogged by private investigators. "My lawsuit covers human trafficking, labour law violations and forced abortions", says Claire. She joined the church's 'Sea Org' at just 16 years old, earning $23 a week and sleeping in a chair. When she fell pregnant with her husband Mark, the church told her: "they're going to ask you 'do you want an abortion; you're to say yes". Claire is one of forty women who've made this allegation, which the church vehemently denies.
A jaw-dropping investigation, powerful and crafted.
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JOIN THE DISCUSSION.ABC Australia
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| Making the film |
In 'Scientology: The Ex-Files', Reporter Quentin McDermott talks to men and women who were members of an elite unit inside the Church in Australia and the United States. They explain why they joined, how they worked tirelessly for Scientology, and how, in some cases, they were pressured, and pressured others, to hand over hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Church. |
| The Producers |
Quentin started work for ABC Australia in 1999 as Lateline's Supervising Producer with a background of 25 years spent working for magazines, local and national newspapers, and television in the United Kingdom. There he spent six years working for Granada Television’s World in Action and was part of the team who investigated and exposed Conservative Cabinet Minister Jonathan Aitken’s links with the Saudi Royal Family. Quentin moved to ABC's Four Corners team in 2000 and during his time as a reporter and producer has been a finalist in the Walkley Awards four times: three as a reporter, for 'Hitting Material' (2000), 'The Final Whistle' (2002) and 'The Hidden Army'(2005). He has also been nominated in the Logies, the Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission’s Television Award, and the United Nations Association of Australia’s Media Peace Awards. |
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