Scientology : Alexander explains inspiration for controversial cult movie 'Profit'

(U-WIRE) TAMPA, Fla. -- Stolen reels of film, numerous espionage attempts and general protests are among the many things that plagued the film The Profit.

Filmed in the Tampa Bay area and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in France, this independent movie captured the attention of the Church of Scientology.

"This is not a movie about Scientology," said Peter Alexander, director and writer of the film. "It is about the rise of the power of a man who creates his own cult."

But the movie ironically parallels many aspects of the fairly new religion, Scientology. The religion was started by L. Ron Hubbard during the 1950s and has a reputation for being a cult solely interested in its followers' monetary donations. Scientology's list of members include actors Tom Cruise, Lisa Marie Presley and John Travolta. It was from the comparisons to this religion that the under-publicized Florida film met so much controversy. Aggravated by the protests but not discouraged, the Florida director Alexander was determined to have the film premiere in the United States.

"The film was a motivational cause," Alexander said. "I wanted to show people how a cult brainwashes people. The movie is not directed at Scientology, but at cults in general."

Alexander's motive had good reason. Being introduced into the religion 30 years ago by his ex-wife, he was thrown full force into climbing the ladder of Scientologist ranking. Having reached the rank of "OT7" (meaning the person has attained the state of no emotional problems and is striving to be all-powerful), Alexander had no idea of the negative effects Scientology was having on him and his life.
(...)

Once on the outside, Alexander remembers walking through downtown Clearwater, where the headquarters of Scientology is located, and having "men on the corners shout personal anecdotes to him." Alexander quickly realized what was private while one was in the religion was made public after one left the religion.

The main character in The Profit, Leland Conrad Powers, a failed science fiction writer similar to L. Ron Hubbard, uses a number of manipulation techniques to create his own religion. In his search to fulfill a greedy nature, Powers manipulates everyone who comes before him.
[...more...] [Need the full story? Read this]