The Love Prophet and The Children of God

David Berg rose to popularity in the 1970s, gaining thousands of followers as a benevolent and pleasure-loving messiah. But he later claimed that God spoke to him directly, and he christened himself "The Love Prophet." The "Children of God" were his missionaries (River Phoenix's parents among them), singing folk songs and spreading the word: God is love, or, more accurately, sex is the divine expression of God's love.

Berg himself was a polygamist who encouraged his congregation to "share" their spouses. He created a unique recruitment tactic: nubile young women were urged to offer themselves to strangers. This gave rise to exotic dance performances, escort services, and videos of women masturbating with beatific fervor. Berg was eventually investigated by his own followers for various moral infractions, and at his death the Children of God whitewashed his legacy. His son now helms the Church, which has grown more in tune with fin-de-siècle puritanism.

Director Abbey Nedick has skillfully painted a disturbing portrait of a shepherd and his sheep, melding archival footage with interviews with past and present members, many of whom still think Berg was a great visionary. Because of its graphic content and unapologetic depiction of fanaticism, this documentary may not be widely seen in the US. At the Harvard Film Archive, June 25 and 27. Filmmaker Abbey Nedick will appear at the June 25 screening.

-- Peg Aloi