Savior Complex is an American true crime documentary series directed and produced by Jackie Jesko. It explores the case of Serving His Children, a nonprofit organization founded by Renee Bach. Allegations arise when Bach treated sick children without medical qualifications, resulting in the deaths of children on the charity’s watch.
| Savior Complex | |
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| Genre | Documentary |
| Directed by | Jackie Jesko |
| Music by | T. Griffin |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 3 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Cinematography | Daniel Hollis |
| Editors |
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| Running time | 57–59 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | HBO |
| Release | September 26 – September 27, 2023 |
It premiered on September 26, 2023, on HBO.
Premise
editIn 2009, Renee Bach starts Serving His Children, a Christian nonprofit organization, offering free meals and treatment for malnourished children. Despite not being a doctor and having no formal training, Bach treated children, resulting in the deaths of 105 children on the charity's watch.[1][2] The series additionally explores missionary work, and non-governmental organizations that are used to provide resources in developing countries.[3] Bach appears in the series alongside the founders of No White Saviors; Olivia Alaso and Kelsey Nielsen, head nurse of SHC, Constance Alonyo, SHC volunteer Jackie Kramlich, head of pediatrics at Jinja Hospital, Aber Tagnoola, human rights attorney, Primah Kwagala, two mothers who sued Renee after the deaths of their children, Kakai Annet and Gimbo Zubeda.[4]
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "God Doesn't Call the Qualified, He Qualifies the Called" | Jackie Jesko | September 26, 2023 |
| 2 | "Cast the First Stone" | Jackie Jesko | September 27, 2023 |
| 3 | "Reap What You Sow" | Jackie Jesko | September 27, 2023 |
Production
editJackie Jesko discovered Renee Bach's story after reading an NPR article, wanting to make a documentary focusing on the legacy of colonialism and harmful white savior narratives that shape the minds of missionaries.[5] Ugandan officials including the police and department of health, did not want to participate, which the filmmakers attribute to politics.[6] Jesko did not show Bach the series prior to its release, and has not remained in touch with her.[7] Roger Ross Williams serves as an executive producer.[8]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.10/10.[9] On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 81 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[10]
Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com gave the series 3.5 out of 4 stars, writing: "Savior Complex" is a remarkably detailed examination of this shocking case that answers most viewer questions as they arise by segueing back and forth from Bach’s story to the other people involved in this tale, intercut with sharp, revealing footage. And it never lets Bach off the hook, countering her claims with heartbreaking eyewitness testimony, showing how no one has the full picture here".[11] Chris Vognar of Rolling Stone gave the series a positive review writing: "The result is a deeply troubling story that you paradoxically don’t want to see end, never boring but never descending to the hyperbole employed by more than one of its subjects."[12]
References
edit- ^ Winsor, Morgan (July 18, 2019). "Renee Bach wasn't a doctor, but she still treated many patients in Uganda, lawsuit says". ABC News. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ Aizenman, Nurith; Gharib, Malaka (August 9, 2019). "American With No Medical Training Ran Center For Malnourished Ugandan Kids. 105 Died". NPR. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ Zhan, Jennifer (September 6, 2023). "Of Course Renee Bach Defends Herself in Savior Complex". Vulture. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ "HBO Original Three-Part Docuseries SAVIOR COMPLEX Debuts September 26". Warner Bros. Discovery. September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ Batey, Eve (September 26, 2023). "Savior Complex Gives Controversial Voice to Evangelical Missionary Accused of Child Deaths". Vanity Fair. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ Scorziello, Sophia (September 28, 2023). "Megachurches, Mission Trips and White Saviors: HBO's 'Savior Complex' Dissects How Renee Bach Caused Havoc in Uganda". Variety. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
- ^ Mechling, Lauren (September 25, 2023). "'Latest wave of colonialism': how dangerous is the white savior complex?". The Guardian. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ Yamato, Jen (August 30, 2023). "You're about to hear a lot about Roger Ross Williams. He's ready for his moment". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ "Savior Complex: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 28, 2023. }
- ^ "Savior Complex". Metacritic. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ Tallerico, Brian (September 26, 2023). "Savior Complex". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ Vognar, Chris (September 26, 2023). "Renee Bach Played God in Uganda. And 105 Children Died". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 26, 2023.