Award-winning filmmaker Chris Smith's new HBO miniseries, "Bring Me the Beauties," uncovers the obscure 1980s cult "Eternal Values," led by Frederick von Mierers and predominantly comprising models. The series, built around interviews with former "first male supermodel" Hoyt Richards, explores the cult's rise and fall, highlighting the challenges of investigating a story with minimal online presence and the diverse experiences of its members.
Chris Smith, known for "American Movie" and documentaries on figures like Jim Carrey and the Fyre Festival, delves into the enigmatic 1980s cult "Eternal Values" in his new HBO miniseries, "Bring Me the Beauties." The cult, founded by the eccentric Frederick von Mierers, primarily attracted models. Smith discovered the story through Hoyt Richards, often called the first male supermodel and a former member, who became the series' central figure. The project faced significant challenges due to the cult's low online profile, requiring years of patient relationship-building to coax other former members to participate. The series reveals that not all participants agree on their experience, with some not even convinced they were part of a cult. "Eternal Values" exhibited a blend of "woo-woo new-age" 80s elements and more menacing aspects, particularly after von Mierers' death in the 90s, when the organization attempted to maintain control over members' lives. Smith notes von Mierers was "ahead of the curve" in promoting "peak performance," drawing parallels to modern wellness and "looksmaxxing" trends. The series masterfully uses retro, lower-resolution archival footage, including material from von Mierers' own public access show, to transport viewers to 1980s and 90s New York. Smith even intentionally degraded upgraded video masters to achieve an authentic period feel. The complex narrative, initially sprawling, was structured into three episodes: hope and promise, downfall, and aftermath. Ultimately, "Bring Me the Beauties" offers a nuanced, "prismatic look" rather than a simple exposé, aiming to understand diverse perspectives on how self-help philosophies can evolve into cult-like dynamics and exploring the universal susceptibility to such relationships. The miniseries premieres on HBO in the US on June 1st and Max in the UK and Australia on June 2nd.
