Sunday, 29 April 2012

The most hated family in America - Louis Theroux


Louis Theroux is a British broadcaster best known for his BBC documentaries and tv series. This particular documentary 'The most hated family in America' was aired on BBC2 in March 2007. It is an expositary documentary which takes a closer look into the life of a family who are at the core of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas. The documentary showed the everyday events of the families lifes and what they believe in. Westboro Baptist Church members believe the United States government is immoral, due to its tolerance of homosexuality and they carry out protests at U.S Military funerals holding up signs which read 'God Hates Fags' 'Thank God For Dead Soldiers' and 'Pray For More Dead Kids'.
  
The documentary received a four star ratings from publications such as The Mail On Sunday. A Review in the Leicester Mercury said that "His subtle interviewing style was perfect for showing off the crazy views of the members."


Personally, i found the documentary very shocking but interesting. It was interesting because it is hard to understand how the members of the Westboro Baptist Church can have these views, especially dead soldiers in my eyes because i believe they should be greatly respected. I was also shocked about how members of the church begun at such a young age, and were picketing at funerals holding up signs which im unsure whether they knew the real meaning of. I also agree with the review in the Leicester Mercury which said Theroux's subtle interviewing style was perfect for showing the obscene views of the members. He asks many questions whilst interviewing and tries to get as much information as possible from the members, which shows how persistent he was to show the viewers the beliefs and views of these people. There is one particular scene where Theroux is asking Fred Phelps, the organisation leader questions about how he knows 'all there is to know' about other churches, and further goes on to say 'but you don't know anything about me pastor Phelps" where Phelps answers arguing "Yeah i do, im not going to keep on talking to you. I know all that there is to know about you - your an evil. - I don't even wanna go there, good luck to you!". Theroux stays calm through out the whole interview, and continues to be polite when he thanks Phelps for his time. Theroux however does seem shocked at what Phelps was saying, when the camera does a close up of his face to show his response and unsure expression. The two shot shows the viewer the awkward discussion, and the back and forth from person to person almost emphasizes the contradiction of opinions, and a discussion between two people with very different beliefs. Below is a clip of the interview. (Interview begins at 1.50)


Juxtaposition is also used within the documentary, for example in a church service, Phelps says 'your gonna eat your babies!' then it jumps to a shot of a women with a baby in the audience.

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