Louis Theroux BBC Two Specials

Louis Theroux Louis Theroux is a BBC television presenter that is most well known for making documentaries that investigate fascinating worlds and lifestyles.For over fifteen years Louis has been creating great documentaries, using a calm questioning style and an informal approach, he has shone light on some of the world’s most intriguing beliefs, behaviours, and institutions by getting to know the people at the heart of them.

The Westboro Baptist Church, led by Fred “Gramps” Phelps, honestly believes that “God Hates Fags.” And since the USA is tolerant of homosexuals, God hates America. Louis spent some time at the Westboro Baptist Church and was immediately condemned for agreeing with the fact that “it is okay to be gay. It’s an innocent, alternative lifestyle.” The church, which is almost entirely made up of Phelps’ family members, regularly picket at military funerals, proudly holding up signs stating obscenities such as “Thank God for Dead Soldiers,” “Fag Marines” and “Don’t Worship the Dead”—and not just in their local Kansas. Even some of the youngest members of the church are brought along to picket funerals. When the passengers of a passing car throw a soft-drink at a six-year-old member, mother Shirley Phelps-Roper finds it incomprehensible how someone could possibly react in such a manner.

The Most Hated Family in America (BBC Two Special) (April 1, 2007)

Documentary Mode

In a reflexive documentary, the film maker acknowledges their presence in front of the camera and provides a narrative to the documentary. The reflexive style of documentary is usually associated with experimental documentaries, where the viewer is just as interested about how the film is constructed as they are the actual content

The Most Hated Family in America documentary is a reflexive documentary style. Louis is acknowledged and has a presence in front of the camera.

Stylistic DevicesThroughout the documentary Theroux gives narration over extracts of footage, thiscould persuade people to view things in the way he wants. There is a small amount of archived footage used as most of the footage is filmed by the production crew. The music engages the audience as its upbeat and catchy. There is no opening title to the documentary which means the audience is immediately engaged and concentrating on the documentary. The end credits has really plain font and are played next to footage that is still on screen this means that the producers do not want the attention to be on the credits.

Effect on audience

The documentary makes the audience feel disgust towards the “most hated family” however there are moments where Louis Theroux creates awkward but humorous situations that makes the audience feel uncomfortable but also makes them laugh.

Louis Theroux the most hated family in America trailer