The Source Family

The Source Family is a captivating 2012 documentary film that explores the extraordinary world of the titular Source Family, a spiritual commune that sprung to life in the wild and experimental epoch of the late 60s and 70s in America. The film stars Ahom Aquarian, Isis Aquarian, and Don Bolles who were all members of the Source Family. Their narratives add rich, first-hand insights to the tale of the commune, its charismatic leader, and the unusual melding of spirituality, rock 'n roll, and free-spirited ethos that punctuated their lives.

The Source Family come under the leadership of Father Yod, formerly known as Jim Baker. Once a decorated war veteran and accomplished martial artist, Baker undergoes a sea change to embody the spirit of a cult leader, spiritual guru, restaurateur, and even lead vocalist in his commune's psychedelic rock band, Ya Ho Wha 13. He is a central figure in the documentary and his life, philosophical belief, charisma, and complex personality form the heart of the film.

The film follows the journey of these eclectic group members from their humble beginnings in the famous Source Restaurant in Los Angeles—a pioneer in delivering organic, health-conscious meals, long before it became a mainstream trend—to their vibrant commune tucked away in the Hollywood Hills. As the story unfolds, the audience is transported into a world that thrives on alternative spiritual practices, love, bonding, communal living, and music, enshrouded in a delightful haze of idealism, optimism, and the quest for enlightenment they attribute to Father Yod's teachings.

Emblematic of its time, The Source Family reflects the spirit of a social counterculture movement that rose against the established order. This film showcases the group dwelling into the exploration of healthy living, meditation classes, tantric sex, communal bonding, psychedelic experiences, and essentially cultivating a life that seemed to be a perfect blissful utopia. The incredible archival footage, photographs, confessional audio tapes, and contemporary interviews presented in the film are a testament to the Source Family's fascinating alternative lifestyle.

The magnetism and enigma of Father Yod are well-documented through the personal anecdotes of several interviewed members including Isis Aquarian, Electricity Aquarian, Ahom Aquarian, and others. They reflect on the impact of Father Yod's teachings, their collective experiences, their individual journeys towards spiritual awakening, and their endearing bond with the community. The film also gives insight into the controversial aspect of the group's relationships, plurality of wives, and unconventional parenting methods.

Also prominent in the narrative is the mention of the cult's psychedelic band, Ya Ho Wha 13, led by Father Yod himself. Their music, which is more akin to unscripted mystical chants, captures the essence of the commune’s esoteric spiritual practices, giving voice to their collective consciousness. It adds another dimension to the story, echoing the times and reinforcing the mesmeric pull of Baker and their shared belief.

The Source Family highlights the allure and perils of utopian ideals and carries the audience along a fascinating journey of a spiritual cult that tasted the extremes of absolute freedom, spirituality, communal love, affluence, and eventual unraveling. It poses questions about faith, leadership, loyalty, the pursuit of personal truth, the sense of belonging, and the blurred lines that separate a cult from a community.

Directors Jodi Wille and Maria Demopoulos have handled this delicate and intriguing subject matter with sensitivity and non-judgemental honesty, giving the audience an intimate and unbiased peek into the inner workings of one of America's most intriguing counter-cultural social experiments.

The Source Family masterfully combines elements of historical documentation, psychedelic cinema, and human interest storytelling to offer a thought-provoking view of an alternative lifestyle in a distinct period of American history, indisputably capturing the era's defiance of societal norms and the quest for true enlightenment in the face of perceived spiritual emptiness.