Two new documentaries revisit Jonestown

Canadian filmmaker Tim Wolochatiuk begins final shooting next week on his “docudrama,” blending interviews and archival footage with cinematic re-enactments, at a massive Jonestown replica set in South Africa. It is scheduled to air this fall in 10 countries, including on the cable network A&E in the U.S.

Both filmmakers said the time was right to re-examine the tragedy.

The passage of nearly three decades has made survivors more willing to talk. And the filmmakers are eyeing a ripe demographic: young politically minded audiences that grew up after Jonestown but are fascinated by religious extremism.

“It’s really important that we understand that the way people are led into evil is by following someone they generally believe is right and good,” Nelson said. “These things happen over and over again throughout the history of the world. It’s important that we question our leaders about who they are and where they’re leading us.”

Wolochatiuk’s film focuses solely on the final days of Jonestown and the temple’s sudden unraveling. Its goal is to present a balanced portrayal of the followers’ devotion to Jones and the temple, he said.

“One of the universal questions that’s still out there is why or how this could happen,” he said. “When you dig deep enough, it could be you or me. When you scratch deep enough, you realize that these are people with very good intentions.”

Tim Reiterman, the Los Angeles Times writer who co-wrote the seminal book on the Peoples Temple, “Raven,” was interviewed for both films.

Reiterman was shot by temple followers in Guyana while reporting on the congressional delegation led by Rep. Leo Ryan, who was killed in the attack at an airstrip as defectors tried to flee.

Reiterman said he was pleased with both films’ efforts to further understanding of the temple’s followers, many of whom joined with the best of motives, and of the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Many people were murdered at Jonestown, he points out, and did not in fact commit suicide.

“Any documentary that portrays Peoples Temple followers as anything other than robots is a good thing,” he said.

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