Apostacy

[Harrowby Hall]

I do not recall seeing any discussion of this film on this forum. Considering the name and purpose of the forum  such discussion would be appropriate.

The film is about three women, a mother and two daughters (there is no reference to any father) who are Jehovah's Witnesses and the consequences on their lives of membership of this sect. It was written and directed by a former JW. It is low key and unhistrionic.

It was broadcast a few days ago by the BBC (it is a BBC Films production) and is avaiable for the next month or so on iPlayer.

I would be interested in other people's views.

[Anchorman]

My town has a so-called 'Kingdom hall'. I know of three families ripped apart through the 'disfellowshipping' nonsense, and the hurt and lasting bitterness it has caused. Maybe not to the same extent as the events portrayed in the film, which, I understand, were based on real events which caused so much heartache.

[Enki]

Yes. I watched it, HH. I found it interesting, although rather minimalist. It's rather brutal harshness came over quite powerfully, as did the generally repressed emotions all round. It didn't try to be judgmental but I was left with the feeling of how unpleasantly the JW cult can effect ordinary people who have been enveloped by this repressive and authoritarian ideology.

[Harrowby Hall]

Repression and authoritarianism come through very strongly in the film. The Watchtower comes over as a male dominated autocracy, with biblical quotes used as slogans and anyone not an elder unable to exert any influence. One of the best lines in the film states that the RC Church is "wishy washy".

[Robbie]

I saw the film (Apostasy) some time ago which was I thought was rather bleak. Siobhan Finneran was very good, that was its saving grace. It was a glimpse into a different world which lacked colour. The story of the poor girl who died, probably unnecessarily, was so low key it was almost as if it didn't matter. When the film was over I felt as though I'd been in a particularly dreary dream, depressive, and it took a while for me to wake up.

There was another film, 'The Children Act', I watched around the same time about Jehovah's Witnesses with Emma Thompson as a barrister. That was more interesting and dramatic but I think 'Apostasy' probably gave better insight into the Watchtower.

I wonder what Witnesses thought of either film.

[Harrowby Hall]

But Robbie, wasn't the point of the girl's death that it revealed the absolute power that the watchtower has over its adherents? That it is preferable to die than to disobey God's law as revealed to his mouthpiece on Earth?

[Robbie]

Yes it was. I couldn't get my head round it, how anyone could believe that stuff. The elders were so lacking in any charisma too, just dull, ill educated men in suits. I didn't realise it was based on a true story but it certainly seemed authentic.

Yes. I watched it, HH. I found it interesting, although rather minimalist. It's rather brutal harshness came over quite powerfully, as did the generally repressed emotions all round. It didn't try to be judgmental but I was left with the feeling of how unpleasantly the JW cult can effect ordinary people who have been enveloped by this repressive and authoritarian ideology.

You've summed it up. There was no beauty in their faith.

[Harrowby Hall]

There was another film, 'The Children Act', I watched around the same time about Jehovah's Witnesses with Emma Thompson as a barrister. That was more interesting and dramatic but I think 'Apostasy' probably gave better insight into the Watchtower.

I have now had the opportunity of seeing The Children Act.

It does indeed consider the attitude of Jehovah's Witnesses towards blood transfusions but I think that it is really a plot device and incidental rather than central to the story. The central theme of the film is the work/life balance and its effect on relationships.

[Enki]

I have now had the opportunity of seeing The Children Act.

It does indeed consider the attitude of Jehovah's Witnesses towards blood transfusions but I think that it is really a plot device and incidental rather than central to the story. The central theme of the film is the work/life balance and its effect on relationships.

Yes, I watched 'The Children Act' and I did find it an interesting film for the reasons you gave. I agree that the blood transfusion episode was used as a device to explore how Emma Thompson's persona eventually broke down once emotions and feelings were allowed to interfere with her ethical judgements.