As "The Synanon Fix" (2024 release; 4 episodes of about 60 min each) opens, it is "Los Angeles, 1958", and Chuck Dederich, himself a recovering alcoholic, opens Synanon, intended as a drug recovery center with a couple of basic rules: no drugs, no alcohol, no violence. Given the utter lack of drug treatment options offered by the courts in general at that time, it was quite revolutionary, and a success. At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.
Couple of comments: this is the latest from accomplished writer-director Rory Kennedy (yes, the sister of Robert Kennedy Jr., whose presidential campaign she has widely and loudly denounced). Here she look at how Synanon, a 501(c)(3) non-profit started with good intentions and initial great results, slowly but surely descends into a cult. I must admit that I had never heard of the Synanon before watching this mini-series. It reminds us yet again how dangerous these movements can become under the charismatic leadership of one man. The film makers make great use of the thousands of hours of video and audio footage that exists on the Synanon, and were able to snag interviews with plenty of former Synanon members, including those closest to Chuck Dederich.
"The Synanon Fix" premiered on HBO in early April and is also streaming on Max, where I caught it recently. These 4 episodes fly by in no time. If you are in the mood for assessing how a movement that starts with the best of intentions goes off the rails and becomes a cult, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: this is the latest from accomplished writer-director Rory Kennedy (yes, the sister of Robert Kennedy Jr., whose presidential campaign she has widely and loudly denounced). Here she look at how Synanon, a 501(c)(3) non-profit started with good intentions and initial great results, slowly but surely descends into a cult. I must admit that I had never heard of the Synanon before watching this mini-series. It reminds us yet again how dangerous these movements can become under the charismatic leadership of one man. The film makers make great use of the thousands of hours of video and audio footage that exists on the Synanon, and were able to snag interviews with plenty of former Synanon members, including those closest to Chuck Dederich.
"The Synanon Fix" premiered on HBO in early April and is also streaming on Max, where I caught it recently. These 4 episodes fly by in no time. If you are in the mood for assessing how a movement that starts with the best of intentions goes off the rails and becomes a cult, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.