The Turnaround with Jesse Thorn Louis Theroux
Jul 28, 2017
Louis Theroux, a British documentarian renowned for exploring fringe subcultures, reveals his unique interviewing strategies. He shares how spending time with those who hold opposing beliefs helps foster understanding. Louis discusses the power of calmness in tense interviews and the significance of non-responses as revealing moments. He reflects on the ethical challenges he faces, including how to balance storytelling with the responsibility of representing his subjects, all while maintaining authenticity in his acclaimed films like My Scientology Movie.
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Longer Immersion Reveals Moral Complexity
- Louis seeks out people in belief systems outside the mainstream with strong moral stakes.
- He builds relationships over days or weeks to reveal what makes them tick.
Thrown Into Millennial Cults At 23
- Louis' first major TV assignment sent him to millennial cults at 23 with no experience.
- He felt unqualified but used curiosity to carry him through the episodes.
Soft Approach Lowers Defenses
- Louis uses an unpolished, apologetic presence to reduce intimidation.
- He believes soft access often gets deeper, more honest encounters than high-profile confrontations.