About The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin

The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin is a captivating 2021 documentary television series released on HBO Max. This riveting three-part series dives into the world of Gwen Shamblin Lara, a popular diet guru turned spiritual leader. Threatening the dynamics of faith and obedience, she founded The Remnant Fellowship Church in Brentwood, Tennessee, which has been often criticized and dubbed as a 'cult' due to its controversial practices and beliefs.

Making / Production

The documentary series was spearheaded by production companies Campfire and HBO Documentary Films. They’ve spent countless hours collecting footage, conducting interviews, and penetrating the mask of Gwen Shamlin and the Remnant Fellowship. The series was ideally designed to scrutinize the shapes religious abuses could take, using Shamlin's story as a drastic example.

Actors

• Gwen Shamblin Lara as Herself: Using archive footage, the series includes sermons and testimonials from Gwen, allowing viewers to see her transformation from diet guru to cult leader.
• Ted Anger as Himself: Featured in several footage clips and audio extracts, Anger served as a Remnant Fellowship Church elder and further deepens Gwen's lifestyle and beliefs.
• Amy and Doug Smith as Themselves: Former members of the Remnant Fellowship Church, their views add depth to the narrative about the inner workings of the church community.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Despite featuring mainly real persons as themselves, the series also relies on re-enactments and insights from cult experts and psychologists.
• Gwen Shamblin Lara, the central figure of the series, tragically passed away in a plane crash along with her husband and several church members in May 2021, just months before the documentary series was aired.

Quotes

• "It's not about the food. It's about the heart." - Gwen Shamblin during a sermon
• "She would say things like, 'If you're not perfect, you're not going to heaven'." - Amy and Doug Smith talking about Gwen's sermons

Music, Soundtrack

• The series uses a sobering score by Ariel Marx to underlie the dark reality of the so-called 'cult.'
• The music perfectly complements the chilling narration and the revelations that unfold in each episode.

Unfortunately, as of my knowledge, there is no information about the series having won any awards. The series has however drawn significant attention for its revealing portrayal of the experiences of those people who had been part of the Remnant Fellowship Church and for the probing examination of Gwen Shamblin Lara's life and beliefs. This makes it a significant piece in the landscape of contemporary documentary filmmaking.