'The Cult of NatureBoy' Documentary Commentary Part III

Why are cults so attractive? The documentary explores the notion of Eligio Bishop aka NatureBoy toying with, manipulating, and subjugating these people. He called himself God, he encouraged men and women to perform sexual acts, and he wanted the women to cater to him the most. He demanded that he be massaged and oiled down like he had achieved status of that of some feudal lord.

But is this so wrong? It’s sort of like driving a high-end sports car backwards down the road. You’re in this beautiful piece of machinery. You’re going at a fast clip. But it’s all backwards. Black men should call themselves God (Peace to the Nation of Gods and Earths) there should be an assertive streak in melanated men, particularly Foundational Black American men. But the difference is but a letter away. Instead of egoism, Bishop chose not just egotism with a 't' but tyranny.

The documentary does an extraordinary job of mixing reenactments with actual footage. The flow of the piece causes the viewer to absorb into this dark world of secrets, lies, and outright physical violence. Chantelle, the Internet detective, reveals in such a calm way, the horrific nature of this disturbing cult. Her analysis is that these individuals placed their trust in a maniac. And Velvet’s testimony may be the most compelling of all.

She details in the documentary how she essentially fought another woman for no reason. She took it upon herself to remove her being from this ugly fiasco. What she did to do this is nothing short of ingenious. By getting everyone drunk, she made sure the others had nodded off from being so drunk and high, that she waited until the break of day to grab her belongings and found a way out of the business of torture. For her to be so thoughtful and go against the will of the leader, she risked her life and limb in escaping from a hellish existence.

In her ability to become even more cautious over her life, she did everything in her power to save herself. Aaron seemed to be willing to discuss the sordid details with control and hints at anger and shame. Otherwise supremely intelligent men and women like Aaron were duped not because they’re dumb, but because the pyrite shine overwhelmed them when they were in a vulnerable position in their lives. There never was any gold. Just the sheen of a mineral prevailed until it didn’t.

Bishop had been detained and put in a jumpsuit and handcuffs around the COVID-19 time period along with his followers. He, however, had charges that stuck. As the documentary reminds at the end of each installment, he is the only one serving time for his crimes.

But what is all the more intriguing is the fact that this black man could have been a person of renown and accomplishments. If he had not committed those atrocities, he would have been venerated in hip hop and R&B especially. The Destiny’s Child song “Cater 2 U” offers a glimpse into a world where the man is treated like a boss if he deserves to be the boss. Bishop does not deserve anything but three hots and a cot. He forfeited his role as a leader and a gentleman who could have had any woman he wanted to be submissive to him by consent. No force. No exploitation. If he had just stuck to the whole supreme leader role, he would have been able to have the women to himself.

Such was never the case. He had designed himself a lifestyle that spoke of the rationality of a squirrel. This was all volition. He chose to do these dastardly deeds. He chose to ensure that everyone would be miserable around him in this terrible cult. The price he is paying now only hints at the idea that he is getting his just deserts. He wanted to imprison and discourage other human beings, now he’s flamed out in embarrassing fashion in a prison cell for the rest of his life.

What the documentary does so beautifully is join the ideas of the participants in the cult and match them with images and sounds that corresponded to testimonials. Everyone seems to be on board and even with a few breaks to weep for their past actions, there still is a thread that remains taut against the tide of confusion, disgust. Since they’re not just talking heads, the actual people who lived this life and Chantelle all break down the pieces to this bizarre situation.