Louis Theroux’s filmmaking and interview techniques.
In all of his documentaries Louis Theroux brings a unique perspective table. He often throws himself face first into the subject at hand, whether his work involves contact with those deemed mentally unstable or strange individuals who lead controversial lives - Louis is there to ask the important questions and unravel the mystery. His character is especially unique, because it is expertly crafted in a way that makes him appear weak, submissive and shy, when in reality it is just an act. His real personality isn’t necessarily the opposite of how he portrays himself on screen, but I believe there is a slight amount acting involved. The way he plays his character allows him to eek information out of people who otherwise would have blocked his questions out. This weak and shy persona is comforting, like that of a parent; a disguise Louis uses to his advantage. Some people see this and try to take advantage of him, which leads to them revealing who they really are.
Due to his work, he often ends up face-to-face with unstable individuals. The final impression given by those who he works with are often much deeper than appeared at first glance. For example, Airing 2003 Louis’s documentary entitled “Louis and the Nazi’s” had Mr Theroux cast into the world of American Neo-Nazi’s and self-proclaimed Pan-Aryans. In this factual program, Louis spent an extended period of time living with a family of White supremacist, as well as meeting Tom Metzger, the man who had been dubbed “The most dangerous man in America”. Metzger, former Grand Dragon to the state of California regarding the Ku Klux Klan and founder of the White Aryan Resistance (WAR), allowed Louis access into his home, also allowing him to observe controversial skinhead rallies in which he headed. The relationship between Louis and Metzger was an interesting one, with Louis being denied the chance to stay the night, as they didn’t share similar political beliefs. Louis remained polite and considerate during his stay, but the occasional controversial question seemed to trigger Metzger and put him on edge. This caused enough tension between the two of them that Louis decided to leave. If it were anyone else Tom would have not allowed them to enter his house, but Louis seemed non-threatening and introverted enough for him to take the risk. The prospect of gaining media coverage to promote his ideologies also appealed very much to Tom.
Later on, Louis visited a house belonging to a family of Neo-Nazi’s, who greeted him with somewhat of a warm welcome to start, but he soon overstayed his welcome. As with Metzger, the family attempted to pull off the façade that they were a peaceful folk who seeked unity and friendship with those of their own kind. Louis’s attitude reflected on them, allowing them to open up and show that they’re not monsters, but real people with emotions. After discussing their views upon Anti-Semitism, Louis is asked if he is Jewish. This is where Louis plays his master hand, he refuses to answer. This act makes him appear to be hiding the fact that he is Jewish, when in reality he isn’t. The frustrated gang repeat the question multiple times, gradually becoming hostile towards him, with rising anger in their voices. Louis sticks to his guns; he does this to gather first-hand information on how the family views the Jewish populace. After some verbal abuse, Louis is threatened with violence if he doesn’t leave the premises. This comes as a shock to the audience, seeing their emotions escalate so rapidly as soon as they became remotely suspicious of Louis being Jewish, as if they were emotionally triggered. This only emphasizes their hatred towards the Jewish people.
The interviews Louis conducted in this documentary reviled two-sides to the story, one that the viewer expected, and one they didn’t.
In all of his documentaries Louis Theroux brings a unique perspective table. He often throws himself face first into the subject at hand, whether his work involves contact with those deemed mentally unstable or strange individuals who lead controversial lives - Louis is there to ask the important questions and unravel the mystery. His character is especially unique, because it is expertly crafted in a way that makes him appear weak, submissive and shy, when in reality it is just an act. His real personality isn’t necessarily the opposite of how he portrays himself on screen, but I believe there is a slight amount acting involved. The way he plays his character allows him to eek information out of people who otherwise would have blocked his questions out. This weak and shy persona is comforting, like that of a parent; a disguise Louis uses to his advantage. Some people see this and try to take advantage of him, which leads to them revealing who they really are.
Due to his work, he often ends up face-to-face with unstable individuals. The final impression given by those who he works with are often much deeper than appeared at first glance. For example, Airing 2003 Louis’s documentary entitled “Louis and the Nazi’s” had Mr Theroux cast into the world of American Neo-Nazi’s and self-proclaimed Pan-Aryans. In this factual program, Louis spent an extended period of time living with a family of White supremacist, as well as meeting Tom Metzger, the man who had been dubbed “The most dangerous man in America”. Metzger, former Grand Dragon to the state of California regarding the Ku Klux Klan and founder of the White Aryan Resistance (WAR), allowed Louis access into his home, also allowing him to observe controversial skinhead rallies in which he headed. The relationship between Louis and Metzger was an interesting one, with Louis being denied the chance to stay the night, as they didn’t share similar political beliefs. Louis remained polite and considerate during his stay, but the occasional controversial question seemed to trigger Metzger and put him on edge. This caused enough tension between the two of them that Louis decided to leave. If it were anyone else Tom would have not allowed them to enter his house, but Louis seemed non-threatening and introverted enough for him to take the risk. The prospect of gaining media coverage to promote his ideologies also appealed very much to Tom.
Later on, Louis visited a house belonging to a family of Neo-Nazi’s, who greeted him with somewhat of a warm welcome to start, but he soon overstayed his welcome. As with Metzger, the family attempted to pull off the façade that they were a peaceful folk who seeked unity and friendship with those of their own kind. Louis’s attitude reflected on them, allowing them to open up and show that they’re not monsters, but real people with emotions. After discussing their views upon Anti-Semitism, Louis is asked if he is Jewish. This is where Louis plays his master hand, he refuses to answer. This act makes him appear to be hiding the fact that he is Jewish, when in reality he isn’t. The frustrated gang repeat the question multiple times, gradually becoming hostile towards him, with rising anger in their voices. Louis sticks to his guns; he does this to gather first-hand information on how the family views the Jewish populace. After some verbal abuse, Louis is threatened with violence if he doesn’t leave the premises. This comes as a shock to the audience, seeing their emotions escalate so rapidly as soon as they became remotely suspicious of Louis being Jewish, as if they were emotionally triggered. This only emphasizes their hatred towards the Jewish people.
The interviews Louis conducted in this documentary reviled two-sides to the story, one that the viewer expected, and one they didn’t.
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