I had said that V/H/S at least had a little bit of originality but this one followed a formula and kind of messed up the ideas the first one was trying to accomplish. I think. I stand by that, but I made an error. GASP! How could I? Well, it seems the source I was using to watch the film did NOT have the subtitles for the Indonesian segment, Safe Haven, so my review was mostly based on what I have previously seen about cults and some of the description from the wiki page.
Whoops. The movie, which is now streaming on Netflix, DOES have subtitles in this particular segment. So we have the English-speaking (and one translator) crew trying to get a closer look at a cult in Indonesia. Okay so far. They have cameras for the interview, and hidden cameras to get a look inside the facilities.
The leader, giving an interview in a coffee house, claims that his group is getting ready for paradise. The world is just temporary. So far, pretty normal with all religions - waiting for a better future 'getting closer to the promised gates' - nothing weird yet. But then he explains this is literal - and coming very, very soon. But only his 'family' is allowed in Paradise Gates. The interviewers basically lie and say they just want an unbiased look at his commune - and so we get some scenes of different rooms with strange symbols. There are children in 'class', rooms with strange symbols, and the leader sits at his desk cutting himself. So the weird starts early.After speaking with one pubescent girl it is apparent that the female 'children' become 'women' when 'the father' has sex with them. That's... not too unusual for a cult either I'm afraid. The Children Of God cult not only condoned and practiced it but required it. The United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors cult did much of the same. Jim Jones of the The People's Temple was a massive pervert. Aaaaand there's a hell of a lot more but I'm starting to depress myself so...
When one of the interviewers, who is pregnant, becomes ill, she is told by a follower that she is blessed and will produce something wonderful. Meanwhile the interview with 'The Father' is becoming heated over the subject of the children being sexually abused. 'The Father' considers it as a 'blessing' for them. It doesn't take a cult for some adults to feel this way and... ah geez, I liked this segment better without the subtitles.
As the 'father' delivers his final speech, he takes his box cutter knife and kills the cameraman who stayed with him. The mass suicides begin. The pregnant interviewer is grabbed and taken to a 'delivery' room. The rest was in the previous review and is even grosser the second time. Believe me.
But, when I'm wrong I'm wrong and I'm sorry you had to suffer through this twice.
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