The Canadian feature documentary Prophet of Ecstasy, which premiered in Montreal in late May, is now available to stream on CBC Gem. Using a mix of modern interviews, archival photos, and dramatic reenactments co-directors Elias C. Varoutsos and Karen Cho recount the popularity, therapeutic possibilities, and business of MDMA, one of the world’s most sought-after synthetic drugs. The central figure of the documentary is Michael Clegg, a man who begins the film as an aspiring priest but ends up becoming a highly successful international distributer of MDMA (also known as ecstasy).
Written by Lori Braun, Charles Beaudette, and Karen Cho, the documentary tracks Clegg’s early days after he quit the seminary only to reinvent himself as a prolific and highly successful international MDMA kingpin. The film follows his early days as a spiritual seeker who, after being given MDMA by a friend, finds himself experiencing a consciousness changing new universe of experiences and possibilities. Clegg becomes so enamored by the substance that he proceeds to make the life changing decision to go into business making the drug available to more people. The clarity and sensory awakening he experienced on the drug paved the way for what he perceived to be a higher calling or command from the universe to spread MDMA to the masses.
In order to start his business Clegg recruits an array of colleagues to turn his personal interest in this drug; later dubbed ecstasy, into an international business. Through the efforts of Clegg, his wife, chemist Carina Leveriza, and figures such as psychedelic advocate Rick Doblin, MDMA becomes a much sought after drug with Clegg achieving his dream of introducing the substance to legions of users in various parts of the world and spreading its popularity into mainstream party culture. One of the main themes in the documentary, however, is the rift that develops between Clegg and his partners once the business rises to new heights in terms of financial success. Although the more academic and therapeutic members of his supporters maintain that the value of MDMA lies in its clinical use particularly in regards to the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly dealing with trauma, cocaine addiction, and spiritual healing, Clegg himself is portrayed as a man more interested in living the lifestyle of a globe trotting partying playboy than someone genuinely interested in exploring the drug’s therapeutic use in improving people’s lives.
While at the inception of Clegg’s MDMA business the drug wasn’t considered illegal as the 1980s progressed the political environment changed and conservative establishment figures such as Nancy Regan embarked on anti drug campaigns which gained traction and led to the criminalizing of MDMA. Before long those making and distributing ecstasy soon found themselves in the cross hairs of the US government’s Drug Enforcement Agency thus putting Clegg and his associates in legal jeopardy.
Throughout Prophet of Ecstasy, Michael Clegg provides insight into his former lifestyle and business. He seems to be a man whose easily prone to sudden life altering revelations. In his younger days he felt a calling to the priesthood only to realize that it wasn’t the life for him. Soon after a friend gives him MDMA Clegg undergoes yet another “spiritual” revelation leading him to devote his life to spreading the benefits of MDMA. Later, however, he morphs into a greedy businessman who even jokes that he was making so much money he bought gold bars and buried them on his property (with some still being undiscovered). At this time his life centers around partying, womanizing, and getting richer and richer. Spoiler alert: after his arrest and detention Clegg reinvents himself yet again when he undergoes yet another spiritual transformation in the jail chapel and goes on to reject the drug he so wholeheartedly promoted and instead transform himself into an enlightened yogi.
As the film illustrates Clegg is an interesting character. After trying MDMA for the first time he comes to the belief that it’s futile to look for God outside of yourself. He states that he believed he got a command from the universe to use psychedelics as a tool for expanding and exploring consciousness. He feels that his divine mission isn’t to give the Eucharist but ecstasy as a means of elevating consciousness. At one point even declaring that, “our product is the key to the human soul”. And yet despite all these altruistic intentions Clegg chooses to lead a life dedicated to nonstop partying, womanizing, and accumulating more and more wealth.
Not long after ecstasy is deemed illegal in the U.S. Clegg quickly sets up shop in other country in which MDMA is still legal; specifically, Clegg moves his manufacturing operation to Panama then Brazil. Instead of funding trials to explore the therapeutic benefits of MDMA Clegg’s interest switches from his previous stated intention of spreading MDMA’s “greatness” to focusing on the profitable business of selling pills to rich club kids and vacationers in places like Ibiza, Spain. Seemingly his interest lies less in being a prophet of MDMA and more about making a profit from the drug.
Unfortunately for a film about psychedelics Prophet of Ecstasy is rather dry, unexciting, and uninspiring. Aside from sparingly mentioning some of the disproven and flawed external studies concerning MDMA the documentary fails to address the medical community’s real concerns about ecstasy and the possibilities of negative or long-term effects of the drug. The film ends on a melancholic note as the initial hopes for MDMA to be used therapeutically for those dealing with emotional difficulties such as depression, PTSD, and addiction have still not been realized. Ongoing research continues but Clegg’s status as the “prophet” of ecstasy seems more about financial profit than a genuine concern for humanity.
Prophet of Ecstasy is streaming on CBC Gem.
