Moongirl

The disturbing world of cults becomes a reality for Anne Burkhardt when her only daughter, 18-year-old Kathy, is lured into the Universal Union Church headed by a charismatic leader named Ely. For Kathy, acceptance into the group fills a void in her lonely life; for Anne, the group presents the ultimate threat to a daughter she's tried to protect ever since her father died years ago. Anne and Renee, Kathy's only friend, try desperately to reason with Kathy, renamed Moongirl. When Kathy decides to move to Ely's "starbase," Anne contacts Sylvia Russell, who specializes in deprogramming cult victims. Although Kathy is sent home, bridging the gap that has widened between the mother and daughter seems impossible until a shattering climax forces Kathy to decide in which world she belongs. Moongirl powerfully and constructively explores the choices facing young people today. While the contemporary problem of cults provides the background, Moongirl focuses on the characters and the universal themes of parent and child, of freedoms and limits. Especially powerful roles for women.