DOCUTAH reprises “Prophet’s Prey”

DOCUTAH reprises “Prophet’s Prey”

By Della Lowe

When Warren Jeffs rose to Prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he took control of a religion with a history of polygamous and underage marriage. Now, a week before the launch of the 2019 DOCUTAH International Documentary Film Festival, this important film returns to the Eccles Fine Arts Center Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.

The Warren Jeffs case is not over, and he continues his influence over the FLDS Church from his prison cell. He bridged the gap between sister wives and ecclesiastic rape, befuddling the moral compass of his entire congregation. The film is directed by Amy Berg and hosted by producer and writer Sam Brower, who investigated many of the FLDS Church’s activities.

In its review, the New York Times remarked, “To watch ‘Prophet’s Prey,’ Amy Berg’s tough and disturbing documentary about a secretive, polygamous Mormon fundamentalist sect with unsettling roots in the region, is to grasp, perhaps, the unspoken reason the Arizona tourism office seems to be suggesting that visitors drive right on by… .”

“The documentary tracks the rise and fall of Mr. Jeffs, who in 2002 assumed leadership of the church after the death of his father, Rulon Jeffs. With the on-camera assistance of Mr. [Jon] Krakauer and Sam Brower, another dogged investigator, Ms. Berg fills in a harrowing portrait of Warren Jeffs as a deluded prophet and serial abuser, especially of girls and women who seem locked in another century.”

Tickets are $10 and may be reserved at docutah.com/prophets-prey. DOCUTAH begins Sept. 2. Complete information can be found at docutah.com.

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