The old proverb “There’s more than one way to skin a cat” can be traced back to 1854, when it was supposedlyfirst coinedby writer Seba Smith in his workWay Down East. The versatility of the phrase’s application is numerous, yet it’s perhaps most befitting of the art of interviewing. Possessing the ability to interview effectively is a fundamental skill all dexterous journalists must perfect, but it is one that can be carried out in several fruitful ways.
Whether it be David Letterman’s tenacious, humorous approach amongstlate night talk shows, Jeremy Paxman’s steely reserve and intimidating intelligence, or Oprah’s personable vivaciousness, many have developed their own, distinct style that has made their careers more distinguished than most. However, the one attribute that is amiss from the arsenal of the three aforementioned greats is the capacity to ask simultaneously very personal but non-threatening questions in an organic, natural manner - an ability that has seen documentarian,Louis Therouxthrive.
His conversational approach and, at times, downright awkwardness place him in this unique position that most interviewers are simply unable to fashion. It’s the position of a friend and a confidant, but also a trustworthy, disarming presence that is able to have real, intimate conversations with his subjects seemingly without prejudice or judgment. While his methods are undoubtedly unconventional, his talent to delve deep into the heart of an issue, while developing an almost personal relationship with interviewees, makes his documentaries truly fascinating viewing, and essential for anyone interested inthe best documentary filmmaking. Here are some of Louis Theroux’s best documentaries…
7Weird Weekends: Wrestling
Running for 3 seasons, Louis Theroux’sWeird Weekendshas achieved cult status. His unflappable, stiff, and awkward nature set the perfect backdrop for the investigations into the lives of eccentrics with anomalous professions, creating a hilarious on-screen juxtaposition between Louis and those involved.
Related:These Great Documentaries Explain Complex Subjects in Understandable Ways
In series two, Louis hangs out with wrestlers in the WCW and takes to the ring to see if he has what it takes to become a professional wrestler, while concurrently investigating the American Wrestling scene and the fascination with violence. “Sir, I’m a dying cockroach, sir” a feeble Louis is forced to utter by the “Sarge” as he struggles to complete the arduous training involved at the Power Plant. Even those with the utmost empathy, may find it hard to keep a straight face.
6Weird Weekends: Porn
Pornography, even today, remains a taboo topic, and back in 1998 when this documentary was filmed, it was even more so. Louis explores the ‘adult film’ industry, specifically what it is like for the male performer. In traditional Theroux-style, Louis immerses himself in porn culture and follows a series of male ‘adult film’ stars as they navigate their way through an increasingly toxic, demanding, and unforgiving industry. It’s funny, bizarre, and tragic all at once.
5America’s Most Dangerous Pets
The Netflix docuseries Tiger Kingbecame an almost overnight phenomenon with a reported 35 million watching within the first 10 days of its release. The irrepressible Joe Exotic and his detestation for Carol Baskin took on a sort of meme-form that carried the series into stratospheric heights. Yet, it was nine years prior that Exotic’s name came to surface on mainstream television via Louis Theroux’s documentaryAmerica’s Most Dangerous Pets.
Related:New Tiger King Documentary Goes Deeper Into the Cult of Joe Exotic with Director Louis Theroux
The programfollows Theroux as he traverses the peculiar terrain of the keeping of wild animals (namely lions, tigers and chimps) as pets, exploring the dangers, difficulties, and ethical issues of housing them away from their natural habitats. A decade later, Theroux would revisit Joe Exotic for a new documentary,Louis Theroux: The Cult of Joe Exotic.
4Louis and the Nazis
As is common practice with his documentaries, Louis collides head-on with issues of extreme worldviews, perhaps none more aggressively than inLouis and the Nazis.In this 2003 installment, Louis meets racist and former Grand Dragon of the KKK, Tom Metzger, who throughout the episode acts as Louis’ tour guide, showing him the grim, uncompromising, and increasingly deranged reality of the far-right in California. Perhaps the most distressing scene comes in the form of Louis’ encounter with skinheads, whose interrogative manner over what they presume to be Louis’ (Jewish) religious beliefs is a disturbing lesson in how dangerous extreme ideologies can be. Theroux is famous for never losing his cool and for always trying to find the humanity in his subjects, but he comes closer here than ever to outright anger and offense.
3America’s Most Hated Family
Following the theme of examining the lives of hateful, discriminatory groups, Louis takes a trip to explore the views, beliefs, and ways of life of the people of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, and the primary family at its core. The church’s extreme stance on homosexuality, as well as intolerance of other religious groups (specifically Judaism and Islam) and protests at the funerals of dead soldiers, make it a controversial, vehemently disliked, and strongly opposed group of people.
While Louis is the antithesis of everything the group stands for, his direct approach to questioning in a charming and defusing way allows for open and honest conversation between him and the subjects, in this case, the Phelps family. Theroux would revisitAmerica’s Most Hated Family, as the documentary is called, with two more subsequent installments over the next decade and a half, chronicling the church as some family members leave the church behind.
2Extreme Love: Dementia
In Louis’ 2012 docuseriesExtreme Love,he spends time with people and their loved ones who, in different episodes, are autistic or have dementia. The documentary is perhaps one of his most touching, and is as equally heart-warming as it is saddening. Louis' radiant benevolence shines ‘Theroux-out;’ his moving relationship with sufferer Nancy, as he is left to care for her for a couple of hours, serves as a poignant reminder of the severity of the illness and how it affects those with it. As with many of the lanky, bespectacled Brit’s documentaries,Extreme Love: Dementiacertainly isn’t without its comic elements, despite the sensitivity surrounding the matter. His exuberant, and at times, jovial attitude allows for some comedic respite from the often complex, heart-breaking issues at hand.
1When Louis Met Jimmy
Jimmy Savile was one of the most prolific pedophiles of the 20th and early 21st century. Disguised by an on-screen, child-friendly persona, the children’s television presenter had been abusing children for what was believed to be over half a century, with hundreds of victims. In this documentary, Louis meets Savile prior to the allegations of sexual misconduct against children coming out. Retrospectively, the documentary offers a fascinating insight into the perverse, sadistic, and evil ways of the creepy, pink-lensed Savile.
Since the crimes of Savile were exposed, Theroux has spoken out of his deep regret for making this documentary without being able to uncover the truth behind the late pedophile. Subsequently, Theroux decided to revisit the subject in his 2016 reflective documentarySavile, where he analyses and scrutinizes his three months spent with the kid’s presenter, while also interviewing those who worked with Savile and others who were abused by him.
