Scientology Looms as Kubrick Daughter Scraps Shelley Duvall Crowdfunding Campaign.
Hollywood Reporter:
Scientology Looms as Kubrick Daughter Scraps Shelley Duvall Crowdfunding Campaign
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/ne...s-shelley-duvall-crowdfunding-campaign-950012
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Vivian Kubrick disconnected from her director father and the rest of her family decades ago, according to relatives; now observers are questioning why she attempted to raise $100,000 to help the mentally ill actress when her religion forbids all forms of psychiatric treatment.
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But Kubrick abruptly pulled the plug Nov. 22. Many Twitter users and GoFundMe commenters are now questioning if Vivian's deep ties to the Church of Scientology, an organization that vilifies all forms of psychiatry and mental-health treatment, had something to do with it.
Kubrick released a statement of explanation on Twitter. "I spoke today with Shelley's mother Bobbie," she wrote, who "explained that after her discussion with SAG-AFTRA and the fact that Shelley is on government benefits, they can't afford to accept any large donations at this time."
But THR contacted several Hollywood labor experts who said Duvall's SAG-AFTRA benefits like pension and health insurance are not means-tested and therefore would be unaffected by the GoFundMe campaign. There are, however, emergency assistance programs from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and The Actors Fund that are only available to people in dire economic straits. (Duvall's current financial situation is unclear.)
Kubrick goes on to say that GoFundMe "is presently refunding all your donations." The fundraising page disappeared from the site at approximated 12:30 p.m. PT on Tuesday, but was still accessible through Google Cache.
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According to
Hollywood Interrupted's Mark Ebner, Vivian was policing the GoFundMe page vigilantly since its Friday launch, "blocking anyone who simply asks if the money could possibly go to legitimate [psychiatric] health care" — practices which the organization has openly and aggressively derided as barbaric and corrupt since its founding in 1954. In Los Angeles, the church runs Psychiatry: An Industry of Death, a permanent museum devoted to the topic located on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.
Ebner also points out that the GoFundMe page was listed as emanating from Clearwater, Fla., headquarters of the Church of Scientology.
"That raised a red flag," Ebner tells THR. "I don't think Vivian even knew Shelley. It seems rather opportunistic to raise money for this very sick, if not psychotic woman, out of the spiritual mecca, Clearwater, for a woman she doesn't know. I knew there was no chance there would be any money earmarked for mental health. It's doctrine. The motives are disingenuous at best."
THR made several attempts to question Vivian about her Scientology connections following its initial interview with her. She has not responded to any of them, nor has the Church of Scientology nor GoFundMe responded to a request to comment for this story.
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