Child of the Commune

“Child of the Commune” is a personal story that centres around a damaged mother-daughter relationship and the teachings of the Indian guru Baghwan Shree Rajneesh, also known as Osho. As a six-year old girl, director Perizonius joined the Baghwan commune because her mother had become a follower of the Indian guru. Perizonius was given the Indian name Ma Prem Chandra (moon of love) and grew up as a commune child. However, at the age of 14, after some mishap within the commune, both mother and daughter leave the cult. What has happened?

Social Interest

What (is)was life like in a Bhagwan commune? Through unique historic footage and interviews with Baghwan community members director Maroesja Perizonius succeeds to reconstruct her life as a child in a commune. In addition, she defines the teachings of Baghwan and how these have influenced her mother, herself and other followers. In the film Maroesja confronts her mother with the fact that by joining the commune she has deprived her daughter of a normal childhood. But her mother has no regrets.

Historic Relevance

At its peak, the Bhagwan movement had about 200,000 members and 600 centers around the world. The movement was targeted by many anti-cult groups as an evil, mind control cult. But was it? In the eighties when the movement gained momentum many members choose for a secluded life in a commune. Naturally their Children had to follow. This documentary is about one such child and her mother. The film centers around the question if the mother has acted responsible by bringing her daughter into the commune and – in light of what she knows now – if she should have choosen differently.