Wild Wild Country

Wild Wild Country is a six-part docuseries that debuted on Netflix in 2018. This documentary, directed by Chapman Way and Maclain Way and produced by the Duplass Brothers, delves into an intriguing and complex saga of cultural clash, religious fanaticism, and government resistance, unfolding a story that is both unique and compelling to the minds of its audience.

The central focus of Wild Wild Country is the controversial Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, later known as Osho, and his personal assistant Ma Anand Sheela. Although the series covers multiple events related to them, the spotlight shines brightest on the formation and subsequent upheaval of their radical community in the early 1980s in the desert of Wasco County, Oregon, aptly named Rajneeshpuram.

The series begins by outlining the rise of Bhagwan in India, his teachings, and how he drew followers (or "sannyasins") from around the world. The show then mutates into a chronicle of the commune's efforts to construct a self-sufficient society in rural Oregon. As the series unfolds, it presents a culture collision narrative between the Rajneeshees and the local residents of Wasco County, magnified by the Rajneeshee's significant demographic and cultural differences.

One of the strengths of Wild Wild Country is its commitment to journalistic balance. While clearly showing the Rajneeshees' violations, it ensures audiences hear both sides of the story. The series weaves an intricate and detailed tapestry of events through current-day interviews, archival footage, and news reports. It presents perspectives from both the Rajneeshees and the residents of Oregon, allowing viewers to grapple with their views about faith, constitutional rights, and where the boundary should be drawn when personal freedoms disrupt the peace of a larger community.

Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh himself is an enigmatic figure seen mainly through archival footage, resonating both charismatic allure and profound controversy. In contrast, the series gives significant screen time to his one-time personal secretary, Ma Anand Sheela, who emerges as a formidable and outrageous character. Sheela is straightforward and unapologetic about her actions during her time in the commune and serves as a complex character study in her own right.

Interwoven with personal highs and lows are significant questions about the Constitution's limits and freedoms, the meaning of community, and the lengths people will go for their beliefs. As a result, Wild Wild Country challenges its viewers to navigate a morally gray landscape, which includes themes of religious freedom, xenophobia, voter suppression, political subterfuge, and bioterrorism.

Despite the darkness and intensity of the subject matter, this docuseries never fails to hold the viewer's attention. The pacing is gradually suspenseful, each episode building upon the last, encouraging binge-watching. Aesthetically, the series is also a visual treat, with the stunning Oregon landscape providing a striking backdrop to the unsettling saga.

At the heart of Wild Wild Country lies the question of belief - what we choose to believe, who we choose to follow, and what happens when those beliefs start interfering with law and order. The show provides no easy answers, leaving much for the audience to ponder and debate.

The result is a riveting, thought-provoking journey that is as bewitching as it is disturbing. Wild Wild Country provides a deep dive into a time and place where the American Dream and Utopian aspirations collided, percolating into one of the most unexpected and surreal chapters in American history. It's a must-watch for those who enjoy real-life mysteries and studying human behavior and society dynamics.

In conclusion, Wild Wild Country is a compelling exploration of a controversial chapter in American history, backed by meticulous research and excellent storytelling.