Sympathy for the Devil

Birmingham-raised director Neil Edwards' film about the Process Church of the Final Judgement.

Dir: Neil Edwards UK 2015, 102 mins Cert: 15*

Formed by two Scientologists in the early 60s, the Process Church of the Final Judgment quickly caught the mood of swinging London. Morphing from a form of therapy into a black-robed cult with a Nazi-esque logo, they were a magnet for disaffected, well-off youngsters as well as various pop luminaries. Eventually it was their (unfounded) implication in the Manson Killings that did for the Process, but the movement no doubt left its mark. Sympathy for the Devil deftly avoids sensationalism, using extensive interviews with former Processeans along with observers including George Clinton and John Waters, woven together with animated inserts and music by Funkadelic and Nicholas Bullen.

The screening is something of a hometown gig for Birmingham-raised director Neil Edwards, so we’re very happy that he can join us to discuss the film. We're also delighted to welcome John Harvey, formerly known as Brother Zachary, to talk about his experiences in the Process Church as an acolyte and occasional projectionist.

Please note: the start time for this event is 5:45pm, 15 minutes later than originally advertised. The event will finish around 8pm.