Father's Kingdom

Father's Kingdom is an engaging, thought-provoking, and passionately crafted documentary directed by Roscoe L. Reddix Jr., and offers a deep probe into the life of one of the most unacknowledged and controversial American religious leaders, Father Divine. The documentary runs the gamut of Father Divine's impactful yet under-discussed life journey, including his doctrines, works, influence, and the controversy that followed his name.

The documentary presents a vivid account of Father Divine, born George Baker, an African American spiritual leader who erupted into public consciousness in the 1930s and 1940s as the leader of the International Peace Mission movement. He was known for his dynamic sermons, interracial communities that stressed economic independence, and his scandalous marriage to a white woman, a considered taboo at that time. Father’s Kingdom dives straight into the heart of this colorful leader’s story, emphasizing how despite facing immense racial prejudice and disdain, Father Divine advocated equality, unity, and the universal recognition of the "spirit of God in every man."

This movie provides detailed insight into the heyday of Father Divine’s radical social, moral, and economic philosophies- a time when the Peace Mission boasted tens of thousands of followers worldwide and had unique achievements like owning and operating multiple businesses including farming ventures, gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and even a popular hotel in Pennsylvania. Father Divine’s concepts of communal living, racial equality, and self-sufficiency were way ahead of their time and the sting of racism prevalent then is well-depicted in the documentary.

The documentary does a splendid job of illustrating how Father Divine's ideas and tactics were seen as radical, a factor that led to both praise and condemnation. Allegations of cultism, political manipulation, indecency and legal troubles plagued Father Divine, who claimed he was God, resulting in persistent media scrutiny and sensationalism. Nevertheless, he persevered in promoting his vision of heaven on earth, faith for material abundance, and oneness of all races and religions.

Father's Kingdom does justice to the portrayal of Father Divine’s physical absence but persistent legacy. After his death in 1965, Mother Divine, his successor and widow, continued leading a shrinking, dedicated band of disciples into the 21st century, a unique showcase of loyalty and persistence. Insightful interviews with living members of the Peace Mission, now mostly elderly and white, inject a human element into the documentary. This film paints their unwavering faith and commitment, their recollections of life under Father Divine’s leadership, and their efforts to keep his principles alive, despite the dilapidation of their surroundings and the fading relevance of their movement.

Unraveling Father Divine's story was a great challenge due to lack of substantial records and the secretive nature of his movement, which is brought to light in this documentary. Father's Kingdom navigates this challenge by making use of historic film footage, photographs, music, and other archival materials to provide a comprehensive and balanced depiction of the man and his movement. It delves into the visionary’s complex, fraught yet inspiring story, which threads through some of the most turbulent times in American history - The Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights era, and beyond.

With the detail-oriented direction, Father's Kingdom tells a largely forgotten history by offering an intimate, authentic portrayal that delves into the heart of an American story suffused with race, religion, and prevailing societal stigmas. It treats its subject with appropriate reverence, avoiding either outright dismissal or blind praises, maneuvering Father Divine’s controversial figure with finesse. Furthermore, it raises universal questions about faith, leadership, racial dynamics, economic justice, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

In conclusion, Father's Kingdom portrays what could easily become a caricatured subject- Father Divine, a unique and controversial figure in American religious history- with deft sensitivity and nuance. Neither mainstream nor familiar, his story is a truly unique American tale, replete with all the paradoxes that come with it. This, coupled with the care and attention to detail reflected in its production, makes the film an educational and stirring piece of work to both the general audience and those interested in history, religion, and sociology.