Watch Father's Kingdom

Father's Kingdom is a documentary film that explores the life and legacy of Father Divine, a mysterious and enigmatic religious leader who rose to prominence in the early 20th century. Through a combination of archival footage, interviews with former followers and scholars, and reenactments of key moments in Father Divine's life, the film paints a fascinating portrait of a man who defied categorization and confounded expectations.

The film begins by introducing Father Divine, a charismatic African American preacher who claimed to be God incarnate. Born George Baker in 1876, Father Divine adopted his new name and persona in the 1910s, and within a few years had gained a devoted following of tens of thousands of people. Though his teachings were often vague and mystical, Father Divine preached a message of racial and social equality, and his followers were drawn to his promises of spiritual and material abundance.

Throughout the film, we see Father Divine's followers recounting their experiences of living in his various communes and cities, where they were expected to adhere to strict codes of behavior and dress, and to work tirelessly for the betterment of the community. We also hear from scholars of religion and history, who contextualize Father Divine's movement within the broader social and political landscape of the time. The film provides a rich sense of the day-to-day life within Father Divine's communities, from the extravagant banquets he would hold for his followers to the tense negotiations with local authorities over zoning and property rights.

What makes Father's Kingdom so compelling is its treatment of Father Divine himself. Though the film never quite manages to pin down who he was or what he believed, it gives us a sense of his enormous charisma and the fervor of his followers. We see reenactments of his ecstatic worship services, in which he would often claim to be able to perform miracles (such as healing the sick or levitating in mid-air). We also hear from former followers who speak reverently of Father Divine and his teachings, even as they struggle to articulate exactly what those teachings were.

At the same time, the film acknowledges the darker side of Father Divine's movement. We learn of the intense pressure put on followers to conform to his strict rules and the punishment meted out to those who stepped out of line. We also hear about the rumors of sexual impropriety and corruption that dogged Father Divine and his inner circle, though the film leaves it up to the viewer to decide how much of those allegations are true.

Throughout it all, Father's Kingdom maintains a sense of intrigue and mystery. There is a sense that we are peering into a world that is at once alien and familiar, where the boundaries between religious devotion and cultish fanaticism are blurred, and where one man's charisma can wield vast power over the minds and hearts of his followers.

Overall, Father's Kingdom is a fascinating and thought-provoking documentary that explores the life and legacy of a complex figure who left an indelible mark on American religious history. Whether one comes away from the film with admiration or skepticism towards Father Divine, there can be no denying the impact he had on his followers and on the wider world around him. The film leaves us with plenty to ponder about the nature of faith, the limits of human charisma, and the enduring allure of messianic figures in our collective imagination.

Father's Kingdom is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes.