
Cult Escape Artists
Cult Escape Artists - Interview Podcast - Feature Documentary - Documentary Series
We dive in to stories of artists escaping cults from around the globe.
The director of the feature documentary WITNESS UNDERGROUND interviews artists, musicians, actors, directors, authors etc. who successfully navigated mind control tactics and got out of a cult. Through making our documentary, artists all over the world emerged with amazing music, art, and stories which we show off as powerful examples of resilience and empowerment.
Film short synopsis:
Witness Underground is a feature documentary that reveals the insular DIY music community that emerged within a high-control cult. Music, fame, and success are typically forbidden in this faith, who instruct its members to “beware of independent thinking.”
The artists at the heart of the music scene have their faith tested in deeply personal ways. They battle for positive mental health and push the boundaries of their religion’s norms, where leaving means being banned from interacting with your entire family and social circle for life.
Although severely restricted, they create the record label Nuclear Gopher and produce over 30 albums of earnest and personal music that spans singer/songwriter, riot grrrl, psychedelic rock, pop, EDM, shoegaze, and post-rock. Carefully curated songs and live performances punctuate their stories of friendship, deep loss, and personal growth.
Watch the film - Follow the podcast
WitnessUnderground.com
Watch:
Vimeo.com/ondemand/witnessunderground
Patreon.com/WitnessUnderground
Youtube.com/@BananaIslandFilms
Episodes
Rock The Watchtower - Decult Decompression - Safe space for former cult members

Inside the Mind of a Cult Expert - Decult takeover - Ulrike Schiesser

Investigative Journalist on Jehovah’s Witness Shunning & Ongoing Abuse

Escaping Utopia - Gloriavale Leavers' Support Trust - Decult

Cult Chat | Centrepoint Restoration | Decult Cult Awareness Conference

Excommunicated LGBT Exclusive Brethren - Decult Cult Awareness Conference

Kicked out of religion - social punishment - Decult Cult Awareness

This woman was interrogated by cult leaders

Asheville AVL Film director - Audio Engineer at AuxBus - Libsyn

Devil Drinks Mocha - Story Editor and Novelist

Former Bethel Elder Became a Blues Rocker

Cult Writer Goes Wild With Outlaw Films

Hypnotherapy - Jonam Ross - Kickstarter Special

Scott Ariza | Photographer at Sharko Studios | Filmocracy

VFX Artist Klaas De Loose - Monster Match Studios (Belgium) Film Release Special

Rising From The Ashes of the Jehovah's Witnesses - Denise Wise - Kickstarter Special

Give/Take Life - Ghost Army's Augustus Watkins - Film Release Special

Apostasy Trilogy - Micah Allen Losh - Kickstarter Special

Drummer for Puff Puff - Danielle Martain - Kickstarter Special

Criminal Lawyer Matthew Smiley Kickstarter Special

Elle Reno Life-Coach - New Associate Producer - Kickstarter Special

The Bloody Tuesdays in our Motion Picture Soundtrack

Blue Skys 3-Album Exit Trilogy - Valentine Riedman - Witness Underground Podcast #27

Religion Rehab Hypnotherapy | Secret Musical SubCULTure - Witness Underground Podcast #26 (S02E06)

Music Heals Trauma - Panel Q&A - Witness Underground Podcast #25 (S02E05)
