Filmmaker Will Allen spent decades documenting Michel, a charismatic guru who leads a sect called Buddhafield. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fshows%2Fcnn-films-holy-hell">Allen's film "Holy Hell"</a> -- airing Thursday, September 1, on CNN -- reveals the darker side to what many followers thought was utopia but now believe is a cult. These portraits of Michel, taken by Allen, offer a rare glimpse into the organization and its leader.
Filmmaker Will Allen spent decades documenting Michel, a charismatic guru who leads a sect called Buddhafield. Allen's film "Holy Hell" -- airing Thursday, September 1, on CNN -- reveals the darker side to what many followers thought was utopia but now believe is a cult. These portraits of Michel, taken by Allen, offer a rare glimpse into the organization and its leader.
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Buddhafield began in West Hollywood, California, in the 1980s. Michel formed the close-knit sect with the promise that his followers could aspire to an artistic, utopian, communal life.
Buddhafield began in West Hollywood, California, in the 1980s. Michel formed the close-knit sect with the promise that his followers could aspire to an artistic, utopian, communal life.
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At a "Knowing" retreat, Michel said he would lead Buddhafield members to meet God directly, but only if he determined they were ready.
At a "Knowing" retreat, Michel said he would lead Buddhafield members to meet God directly, but only if he determined they were ready.
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Michel boasted of having once danced with the Oakland Ballet. He had his followers practice and perform ballet at the Buddhafield compound. The members would put on elaborate performances -- for themselves only.
Michel boasted of having once danced with the Oakland Ballet. He had his followers practice and perform ballet at the Buddhafield compound. The members would put on elaborate performances -- for themselves only.
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This and many of the other Photoshopped images of Michel were featured in a calendar that "Holy Hell" filmmaker Allen created for the spiritual leader.
This and many of the other Photoshopped images of Michel were featured in a calendar that "Holy Hell" filmmaker Allen created for the spiritual leader.
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"He spoke as if he had gone into the cosmos, and come back, and was here to tell us about it and take us there," Allen said.
"He spoke as if he had gone into the cosmos, and come back, and was here to tell us about it and take us there," Allen said.
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Allen, pictured here, spent 22 years as Michel's assistant, documenting life inside Buddhafield.
Allen, pictured here, spent 22 years as Michel's assistant, documenting life inside Buddhafield.
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In the early 1990s, Michel moved his followers to Austin, Texas, and changed his name after the Cult Awareness Network reportedly raised concerns.
In the early 1990s, Michel moved his followers to Austin, Texas, and changed his name after the Cult Awareness Network reportedly raised concerns.
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Michel also gave his followers new names to help them create a new way of seeing themselves, according to the film. Allen said he was given the name "Francesco."
Michel also gave his followers new names to help them create a new way of seeing themselves, according to the film. Allen said he was given the name "Francesco."
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Michel appears inside the gardens of Buddhafield's compound in Austin.
Michel appears inside the gardens of Buddhafield's compound in Austin.
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In this image, Allen told <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vanityfair.com%2Fhollywood%2Fphotos%2F2016%2F01%2Fholy-hell-buddhafield-photographs" target="_blank" target="_blank">Vanity Fair</a> that Michel represents the Hindu god Hanuman, a monkey. "This is how I always imagined that story would look," Allen explained to the publication. "When the monkey tore his chest open, inside it was only light. I wanted to get Michel in a similar position: chest open, emanating that light."
In this image, Allen told Vanity Fair that Michel represents the Hindu god Hanuman, a monkey. "This is how I always imagined that story would look," Allen explained to the publication. "When the monkey tore his chest open, inside it was only light. I wanted to get Michel in a similar position: chest open, emanating that light."
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Another image of Michel appearing as a Hindu god. Allen told Vanity Fair that while Michel probably thought of himself as God, he told his followers that God exists inside everyone.
Another image of Michel appearing as a Hindu god. Allen told Vanity Fair that while Michel probably thought of himself as God, he told his followers that God exists inside everyone.
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Gradually, several Buddhafield members -- including filmmaker Allen -- left after accusing Michel of emotional manipulation and even sexual abuse. In an email, Michel called Allen's documentary "a work of fiction."
Gradually, several Buddhafield members -- including filmmaker Allen -- left after accusing Michel of emotional manipulation and even sexual abuse. In an email, Michel called Allen's documentary "a work of fiction."
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