Jonestown: The Life And Death Of Peoples Temple

Jonestown, Guyana, November 18th 1978: 913 people, numerous children among them, are found dead. Soon, the truth about what seems to be the biggest mass-suicide in history emerges. Reverend Jim Jones, the leader of Peoples Church and looked upon as a father by the people in Jonestown, served cyanide-laced Kool-Aid to his “children”. Those who wouldn’t drink voluntarily were forced. Director Stanley Nelson explores one of the greatest American mysteries and finds its origins in a collapsed social experiment. Jim Jones, born during the Depression era, early on developed a longing for a community where everyone would live as equals, regardless of race or class. In the 60’s, he created the Peoples Church. But as Jones’ paranoia and drug abuse increased, his vision became blurred. Jones brought the People’s Church deep into the Guyanan jungle to protect his members from the evils of the outside world. But in Jonestown, what was supposed to be paradise on Earth, became hell.ELIN LARSSON