I finally got the courage to watch this. When you've been under the spell of a sociopath, it's not a place you want to go again, even to visit. I waited until it was streaming so I could hit pause if I needed to. I hit pause a few times.
I had two thoughts at the end of it.
1. The projection. Once you know it and see it, it's obvious, and it's almost funny in a horrible sort of way.
But when you're in a relationship with someone like this - mine had different colours, but it's definitely the same paint deck - you're so... stuck. You think the lies are real. And you think you're ok, and others are SO wrong. Except deep inside you, there's always this... confusion. A gnawing in your gut.
2. The people he abused
If you don't know who you truly are, in the depths of your heart, and know how to fiercely love yourself, people like him can see it. They can smell your trauma. I can only assume they see a glowing aura because they definitely know who to target.
Being with a sociopath is a very bad place to be. I'm enormously grateful to those who pulled me out of that darkness. Not everyone makes it out. People like Jillian - alive, but deep in the darkness. People like Brent who aren't with us anymore.
Thank you as always David (and your team) for doing this work. I hope those who see Mr Organ understand there are so many people like this - they present differently but there are things they have in common. Look for the projection. Check if you feel confused, even by small things (really small!). These are actually big red flags, but they can be really easy to miss.
There are two old sayings that I had to learn the hard way thanks to my sociopath.
Actions speak louder than words - as David showed, almost everything will be a lie.
To thine own self be true.
Oddly, I wouldn't have learned these truths or have the peace I feel today without the lessons I learned from my sociopath. But I was very lucky.
Nadene - thanks for taking the time to write this. I am so glad you are away from your abuser (is that a fair word? In my mind it's all abuse) - giant respect, and I am just really glad for you. Seeing Jillian stuck is - hard. It's horrible. She's an utter puppet for him now and that's really hard to see, as she's carrying out his actions on his behalf. I hope to write more on that when I can.
I wanted people to see their own Organ's in this film, too - sounds cheesy, but so they felt a little less alone perhaps. Or be able to recognise traits in a friend or partner on the screen that they hadn't clocked. Because when you see it play out - camera on close - you really see it all in action.
Thanks again for you insight. Me - and others here, I know - appreciate it hugely.
I could have written this myself Nadene. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
At times my skin crawled during the film because SO many things reminded me of my own time with a sociopath.
The pathological lies, the projection, the belittling, the gaslighting, the systematic, insidious dismantling of your sanity … unfortunately I share children with mine so I still get the odd email reminding me of my shortcomings as a human 🙄…
It wasn’t that long ago that I lived in fear of that person… they had threatened me physically & financially and I have thousands of pages of legal documents outlining my failings as a mother, a professional and a person.
I am so glad I no longer have to look over my shoulder or listen to long rants of word salad….and like you, the lessons I learned have been valuable in helping me create a peaceful life that I love.
Finding inner peace is the best revenge against these people…. but it feels like they’re everywhere..
Thank you for the film @davidfarrier, what a feat of filmmaking.
Love that line about the everyday sociopath. Have been raving about it to friends... but am short on explanation when they ask ‘what’s it about?’ I’ve been going with an air of mystery and saying’ I can’t even begin to describe it...just go and then we’ll talk’ Now I can weave in the everyday sociopath! And great news for me, I’d love to see it again. Expect it has more to give now Ive clocked his character.
I could never explain it before but NZ does have an underlying haunted vibe! I think possibly it's it's isolation in the world? Even though I'm not generally a spiritual or indigenous person there is a definite connection to the land, and if you're born here I can't imagine not eventually returning to it...like if I get buried somewhere else my spirit will be stuck or I'll be forced back!
My abiding feeling after watching Mr Organ was worry for that poor woman who is entangled with him. Even months later I occasionally think about her and wonder what's happening. I hope she gets away from him at some point.
It should be compulsory watching! Have you seen his start on Race around the World? I lived in Oz at the time & it was immediately clear that this weird dude was a fucken genius!
Lovely to see the Alice Cinema photo (which was where I saw it & was thrilled when you turned up to give a ... Preamble? intro? pep talk?)
Anyway, I think the reviewer hit the nail on the head about "lingering colonialism" perhaps being a factor in the vibe ... do even our Pakeha writers, film makers, doco makers etc. have the sense of unresolved (largely?) dark deeds that they pick up from news items, documentaries, and/or working with our extraordinary Maori talent?
And as a smaller population, we are more aware of public discussions around Treaty grievances & settlement negotiations than a larger population base would be.
Remember how we found the people who bombed the Rainbow Warrior? Some random people in some obscure place noticed something strange & wondered? ... sadly not all of us, esp these days, but I think we have been more aware of what is happening about the place - where the latest serious road crash happened, the distressing number of drownings etc.
One of my favourite TV series was the 1st season of Top of the Lake, which I re-watch on DVD every now and then, mainly for the stunning scenery around Glenorchy & surrounds initially, but it too has this darkness despite the gorgeous setting. Then came "One Lane Bridge" in same location but also creepy vibe, and now sadly this beautiful area is haunted for real by 2 recent drownings, which again, many NZers will know of, even in the background.
And is it chicken and egg? Now we have had UTU, The Piano, Once Were Warriors etc. etc. etc. (even Boy & Hunt for the Wilderpeople have an undertone) - does that CREATE the darkness or REFLECT it?
Well said. Utu should be mandatory viewing for all kiwis (it was at my high school in the 90s, don’t know about now though?) Anzac Wallace and Bruno Lawrence were stellar.
I finally got the courage to watch this. When you've been under the spell of a sociopath, it's not a place you want to go again, even to visit. I waited until it was streaming so I could hit pause if I needed to. I hit pause a few times.
I had two thoughts at the end of it.
1. The projection. Once you know it and see it, it's obvious, and it's almost funny in a horrible sort of way.
But when you're in a relationship with someone like this - mine had different colours, but it's definitely the same paint deck - you're so... stuck. You think the lies are real. And you think you're ok, and others are SO wrong. Except deep inside you, there's always this... confusion. A gnawing in your gut.
2. The people he abused
If you don't know who you truly are, in the depths of your heart, and know how to fiercely love yourself, people like him can see it. They can smell your trauma. I can only assume they see a glowing aura because they definitely know who to target.
Being with a sociopath is a very bad place to be. I'm enormously grateful to those who pulled me out of that darkness. Not everyone makes it out. People like Jillian - alive, but deep in the darkness. People like Brent who aren't with us anymore.
Thank you as always David (and your team) for doing this work. I hope those who see Mr Organ understand there are so many people like this - they present differently but there are things they have in common. Look for the projection. Check if you feel confused, even by small things (really small!). These are actually big red flags, but they can be really easy to miss.
There are two old sayings that I had to learn the hard way thanks to my sociopath.
Actions speak louder than words - as David showed, almost everything will be a lie.
To thine own self be true.
Oddly, I wouldn't have learned these truths or have the peace I feel today without the lessons I learned from my sociopath. But I was very lucky.
Nadene - thanks for taking the time to write this. I am so glad you are away from your abuser (is that a fair word? In my mind it's all abuse) - giant respect, and I am just really glad for you. Seeing Jillian stuck is - hard. It's horrible. She's an utter puppet for him now and that's really hard to see, as she's carrying out his actions on his behalf. I hope to write more on that when I can.
I wanted people to see their own Organ's in this film, too - sounds cheesy, but so they felt a little less alone perhaps. Or be able to recognise traits in a friend or partner on the screen that they hadn't clocked. Because when you see it play out - camera on close - you really see it all in action.
Thanks again for you insight. Me - and others here, I know - appreciate it hugely.
I could have written this myself Nadene. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
At times my skin crawled during the film because SO many things reminded me of my own time with a sociopath.
The pathological lies, the projection, the belittling, the gaslighting, the systematic, insidious dismantling of your sanity … unfortunately I share children with mine so I still get the odd email reminding me of my shortcomings as a human 🙄…
It wasn’t that long ago that I lived in fear of that person… they had threatened me physically & financially and I have thousands of pages of legal documents outlining my failings as a mother, a professional and a person.
I am so glad I no longer have to look over my shoulder or listen to long rants of word salad….and like you, the lessons I learned have been valuable in helping me create a peaceful life that I love.
Finding inner peace is the best revenge against these people…. but it feels like they’re everywhere..
Thank you for the film @davidfarrier, what a feat of filmmaking.
Love that line about the everyday sociopath. Have been raving about it to friends... but am short on explanation when they ask ‘what’s it about?’ I’ve been going with an air of mystery and saying’ I can’t even begin to describe it...just go and then we’ll talk’ Now I can weave in the everyday sociopath! And great news for me, I’d love to see it again. Expect it has more to give now Ive clocked his character.
Saw it last year but have raved about it so much my friend had preordered the DVD for a rewatch party!!!
100% not annoying 🥰🥰.
Wonderful news that you're getting it out there!! Still gonna be patiently waiting here in the states while you get it all sorted ❤️❤️!
Working on North America and I think close to a solution. But don't wanna say too much in case I jinx it!
Is there anything *we* can do to help speed the process along? I'm sure im not the only one who would love to support the film in anyway we can!
It was the top rating doco because it was fucking amazing. I will always be grateful for the chance to see that cat jacket in real life too.
Yay to all of these options!
Congratulations again, you are such a talent David.
You know kiwis hate flattery! But thanks!!
Oh course I do haha but it doesn't mean it shouldnt be given when deserved ❤
I could never explain it before but NZ does have an underlying haunted vibe! I think possibly it's it's isolation in the world? Even though I'm not generally a spiritual or indigenous person there is a definite connection to the land, and if you're born here I can't imagine not eventually returning to it...like if I get buried somewhere else my spirit will be stuck or I'll be forced back!
My abiding feeling after watching Mr Organ was worry for that poor woman who is entangled with him. Even months later I occasionally think about her and wonder what's happening. I hope she gets away from him at some point.
I hope she does to, but at this point I fear all hope is lost. Same with Arise church. Once the rot has crept in its very hard to stop.
That was one of the most disturbing aspects for me… the coercive control in that relationship is almost tangible… her poor family!
Awesome, we’ll done David!! 👏🏻
Thanks David, you are a legend. Couldn’t go to cinema showings but looking forward to seeing it on Docplay.
Oh this is great news!
Today is the day if you're in NZ or Australia: https://www.docplay.com/discount/WEBWORM45
x
Feel free to share this link and code with fellow Webworm enthusiasts who might have missed it!
Awesome - now we can watch it again!! Thanks for the link to your DocPlay recommendations too. LOVE John Safran vs God!
I really love that series. It pushed boundaries in an incredible way. And a lot of people don't seem to know about it!
It should be compulsory watching! Have you seen his start on Race around the World? I lived in Oz at the time & it was immediately clear that this weird dude was a fucken genius!
Lovely to see the Alice Cinema photo (which was where I saw it & was thrilled when you turned up to give a ... Preamble? intro? pep talk?)
Anyway, I think the reviewer hit the nail on the head about "lingering colonialism" perhaps being a factor in the vibe ... do even our Pakeha writers, film makers, doco makers etc. have the sense of unresolved (largely?) dark deeds that they pick up from news items, documentaries, and/or working with our extraordinary Maori talent?
And as a smaller population, we are more aware of public discussions around Treaty grievances & settlement negotiations than a larger population base would be.
Remember how we found the people who bombed the Rainbow Warrior? Some random people in some obscure place noticed something strange & wondered? ... sadly not all of us, esp these days, but I think we have been more aware of what is happening about the place - where the latest serious road crash happened, the distressing number of drownings etc.
One of my favourite TV series was the 1st season of Top of the Lake, which I re-watch on DVD every now and then, mainly for the stunning scenery around Glenorchy & surrounds initially, but it too has this darkness despite the gorgeous setting. Then came "One Lane Bridge" in same location but also creepy vibe, and now sadly this beautiful area is haunted for real by 2 recent drownings, which again, many NZers will know of, even in the background.
And is it chicken and egg? Now we have had UTU, The Piano, Once Were Warriors etc. etc. etc. (even Boy & Hunt for the Wilderpeople have an undertone) - does that CREATE the darkness or REFLECT it?
FIRST SEASON OF TOP OF THE LAKE RULES.
All of what you said: Yes. Yes. Yes.
Well said. Utu should be mandatory viewing for all kiwis (it was at my high school in the 90s, don’t know about now though?) Anzac Wallace and Bruno Lawrence were stellar.
That's a pretty good release you got going, nice!
Very annoyed from Canada!! Patience is a virtue right?
It is. I am sorry. It's a crazy market out there right now and Mister Organ is a very strange film.
Well, we're a strange country.
*whispers* google “virtual private network” and fool the streaming services 😉
I had the same thought! Unfortunately I think you need a NZ or AUS credit card to sign up for docu app 😔
It isn't much longer to wait for TVNZ on-demand.
Nooo!!! I am inpatient and determined and will ask an Aussie friend for help 😂
Okay so step 1 was download a VPN step 2 is find an Australian or New Zealander friend hahaha
Time to bother with a VPN! 😂
And that quote has me *dying* to go to Aotearoa omg
Aotearoa certainly has some unusual vibes. It's beautiful, and I love it, but there is dread there.
Dread and spookiness make me happy, so sounds lovely! Lol