Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

going clear

You'll finally get to see the controversial Scientology documentary on Irish telly

The film has garnered great reviews – but the church says that it contains discredited allegations.

CBS This Morning / YouTube

IT HAS BEEN getting rave reviews since it first premiered at Sundance Film Festival, and now the controversial Scientology documentary Going Clear is coming to Irish TV.

After legal wrangling, the go-ahead has been given for the Alex Gibney-directed documentary to be shown on Sky.

That means it will be available to Sky customers in Ireland and the UK.

The Church of Scientology is not happy about the representation of it in the documentary.

A number of its former members were interviewed during Going Clear and claimed they were tortured.

The Church issued a statement about the documentary, saying:

The Church has documented evidence that those featured in Gibney’s “Going Clear” film regurgitating their stale, discredited allegations are admitted perjurers, admitted liars and professional anti-Scientologists whose living depends on the filing of false claims. All have been gone so long from the Church they know nothing of it today

It claimed that Gibney and HBO “stonewalled 14 requests by the Church to offer relevant information”, describing the director as “a propaganda filmmaker”.

Scientology documentary Prominent Scientology member, John Travolta. PA WIRE PA WIRE

John Travolta and Tom Cruise are two of its most famous celebrity members, and their relationships with the church are discussed at length in Going Clear.

The Emmy award-winning film will be shown on 21 September at 9pm on Sky Atlantic.

Celia Taylor, Sky’s Head of Non-Scripted Commissioning, commented:
Going Clear is a brilliantly compelling film that unflinchingly probes the secretive world of Scientology through powerful testimony and a beautifully crafted narrative. I am extremely proud of it.

The Guardian said that the news comes after Sky sought legal advice over the transmission of the film.

Read: Leah Remini praised for leaving Scientology because ‘no one is going to tell her how to think’>

WATCH: SNL comedians take on the Church of Scientology>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
63
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.