One of the most talked about movies of this year's Sundance Film Festival is Alex Gibney's documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief. Based on Lawrence Wright's book of the same name, the doc reveals quite a few interesting, alleged details about the Church of Scientology, including the fact that Tom Cruise allegedly wiretapped Nicole Kidman's phone when they were married. Per the film, Scientology was not thrilled with Cruise and Kidman's marriage, especially since her father was a psychologist, a profession which is frowned upon in the Church's eyes.
While filming Eyes Wide Shut, Cruise seemingly distanced himself from the Church, but according to the film, they tried to reel Cruise back in by dissecting his marriage and making him paranoid. Eventually, and allegedly at Cruise's request, the church hired a private investigator to tap Kidman's phones. Apparently, the Church allegedly tried to get their children to turn against the actress saying their mother was a "suppressive person."
That wasn't the only tidbit about Cruise revealed in the doc. As the film depicts, Homeland actress Nazanin Boniadi was allegedly handpicked by the Church of Scientology to become Cruise's girlfriend, after his marriage with Kidman was terminated. Boniadi was a "Scientology field worker," who was reportedly made over by having her teeth fixed and receiving a new wardrobe, as preparation for her to meet and date Cruise. However, the "relationship" didn't last very long, because Cruise allegedly felt she didn't respect the Church's leader, David Miscavige.
Eventually, Boniadi was allegedly punished for telling her feelings to a colleague, which was discovered by some of the Church's "higher ups." Supposedly, she was disciplined by having to clean toilets with a toothbrush, among other tasks.
The Church of Scientology has tried to discredit the film by comparing it to Rolling Stone 's University of Virginia rape story and by posting ads in The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times.
UPDATE: The Church of Scientology has reached out to Bustle, stating: "The accusations made in the film are entirely false and alleged without ever asking the Church."
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