John Travolta Strongly Disputes Scientology Documentary GOING CLEAR

John Travolta had some strong words to share on the new HBO Scientology documentary GOING CLEAR, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The actor told the Tampa Bay Times that he had not seen the film, "and I don't really care to."

Directed by Alex Gibney, the film is based on Lawrence Wright's 2013 bestseller and presents a harsh expose of the religious group. Among the film's allegations are that Scientology intentionally broke up the marriage of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman; that it tortured some of its members in a prison called "the hole" and forced others to do hard labor; and that it bullied those who opted out of the organization and forced their family members to cut off all contact with their loved ones. It also claims that Travolta is afraid to leave the church for fear that it will expose some personal secrets about himself.

Commented the actor to the Times, "I haven't experienced anything that the hearsay has (claimed), so why would I communicate something that wasn't true for me?. It wouldn't make sense, nor would it for Tom, I imagine."

Travolta said that the doucmentary was made by "people who were disgruntled with their experiences" with Scientology, while the church "has been nothing but brilliant for me." He continued, "I've been so happy with my (Scientology) experience in the last 40 years... that I really don't have anything to say that would shed light on (a documentary) so decidedly negative."

He also shared, "I've been brought through storms that were insurmountable, and (Scientology has) been so beautiful for me, that I can't even imagine attacking it," adding that he "wouldn't have made it" through his son Jett's sudden and tragic death without the support of the church.

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Watch the trailer for the documentary below:

About GOING CLEAR:

Following the HBO documentary "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God," his investigation into sex abuse in the Catholic Church, Academy Award®-winning director Alex Gibney (HBO's "Taxi to the Dark Side") turns his gaze to Scientology in GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF, based on the book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright.

Gibney profiles eight former members of the Church of Scientology, whose most prominent adherents include A-list Hollywood celebrities, shining a light on how the church cultivates true believers, detailing their experiences and what they are willing to do in the name of religion.

This powerful new film highlights the Church's origins, from its roots in the mind of founder L. Ron Hubbard to its rise in popularity in Hollywood and beyond. The heart of the film is a series of shocking revelations by former insiders, including high-ranking and recognizable members such as acclaimed screenwriter Paul Haggis ("Crash"), as they describe the systematic history of abuse and BETRAYAL by Church officials, including the current leadership of the Church.

A provocative tale of ego, exploitation and lust for power, GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF will open in theaters in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco on Friday, March 13, prior to its HBO debut.

GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF is written and directed by Alex Gibney; based on the book by Lawrence Wright; producers, Alex Gibney, Kristen Vaurio and Lawrence Wright; editor, Andy Grieve; director of photography, Samuel Painter. For HBO: supervising producer, Sara Bernstein; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.

Source: HBO

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