SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
CINEMA VILLAGE
22 EAST 12TH
Feature Documentary and Panel Discussion
THE PROPHET OF ECSTASY
Doors @ 1:30 PM
Panel @ 3:45 PM
The Prophet of Ecstasy / Featuring Panel with Rick Doblin and guests.
Director Elias C. Varoutsos
Canada, 102 min
Official selection of the The Psychedelic Film and Music Festival in New York 2026 & Catalina Film Festival 2026
Time:
Saturday Oct 17th : Doors @ 1:30PM
Panel @ 3:45 PM
Presented by Laurus Productions.
THE PROPHET OF ECSTASY explores themes of art, politics and consciousness through the improbable life of Michael Clegg, the former Catholic priest who introduced MDMA to the world - a drug he would later dub ‘Ecstasy’. The documentary will take viewers on a wild ride, from Clegg’s life as an MDMA drug kingpin, to his present-day transformation as an enlightened yogi. It also examines how the destinies of Michael Clegg, chemist Carina Leveriza, and psychedelics advocate Rick Doblin, are inexorably bound with that of the socio-cultural explosion of MDMA through its epic journey of discovery, criminalization, and re-emergence from the shadows.
Panel discussion:
Following the screening of Prophet of Ecstasy, stay for a provocative conversation with the filmmakers as well as psychedelic advocate Rick Doblin, PhD and guests.
From shifting drug laws and the fight for psychedelic access to the wild true story behind the film, the panel dives into where the psychedelic movement is now, what still needs to change, and what comes next.
Reviews of THE PROPHET OF ECSTACY
“This documentary opened up my mind better than any drug would, as it told me a lot of interesting facts and crazy things that happened through this whole drug craze.” (Hollywood North Magazine)
“Prophet of Ecstasy is an interesting story about the rise and fall of a psychedelic drug empire.” (Sean Kelly on Movies)
“The film impressively shows how a stigmatized substance evolved from a socio-cultural explosion in the underground to a beacon of hope in modern psychotherapy. “ (Psychedelia-Stiftung)
“He’s a figure in the psychedelics movement who established ecstasy as a go-to party drug with therapeutic potential — and a lasting impact on the culture. “(CBC DOCS)