Love has Won
I recently came across the documentary Love Has Won, which tells the story of a young American woman who formed a cult around herself, convincing her followers that she was “Mother God.” The rise of smartphone technology after 2008, with the introduction of the iPhone and Android devices, has made documentary filmmaking significantly more accessible. Today, the challenge is not the lack of material but rather the task of selecting and shaping the most compelling footage.
Hannah Olsen skillfully weaves together the story of Amy Carlson’s ascent and tragic downfall. Amy gathers around her people who have self-esteem issues and she makes them feel brilliant and loved. Even after her death—far from divine—many of her followers continue to believe in her divinity. It is fascinating to watch how they twist their beliefs to maintain the central idea that Carlson was truly “Mother God.”
This documentary is both educational and unsettling. In the end, Amy Carlson died from excessive alcohol consumption and misguided faith in a so-called silver “medicine,” which was, in reality, a toxic substance. Tragically, her cult prevented her from seeking medical help, believing in the same false cure that ultimately led to her demise.
Watching Love Has Won also raises broader questions about cult dynamics. Donald Trump, for instance, exhibits clear characteristics of a cult leader. One can only hope that he does not lead the world into the kind of abyss that Amy Carlson was unable to—despite convincing her followers, even her own family never accepted her claim to divinity.
Here is an informative interview with the director about how she became interested in the story of Amy Carlson: WMagazine