The documentary film Smile 'Til It Hurts: The Up with People Story premiered at the 2009 Slamdance Film Festival. It is an unofficial documentary history of the organization. The film was directed by Lee Storey who is married to early alumnus William Storey.
The film documents the troupe's history from its origins in the late 1950s within Moral Re-Armament and the Sing-Out groups, through its successful years of the 1980s and subsequent decline.
The film states that the troupe, funded by corporate entities including Halliburton, General Motors, Exxon, and Searle, was intended to counter the hippie subculture. The film further claims that the musical group emphasized extreme right wing politics, and alleges that troupe rules included aspects of a religious cult, including arranged marriages.
Reviews have noted that while a critique of the organization, the film has also shown respect for those who were involved and demonstrated their good intentions.
The film had also been at issue in an IRS court case over whether an unprofitable independent film is a business venture versus a hobby. Ultimately it was determined to be a business venture.
Read more about this topic: Up With People
Famous quotes containing the word people:
“I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Exodus 16:4.