We could all take a page out of Louis Theroux’s calm, inquisitive, stoic book. I know I’m essentially preaching to the converted if I’m to do any exalting of Theroux’s skills as a documentarian, or praising of his unique approach and manner when dealing with his chosen subjects. This is especially true ever since the ‘meme-ing’ of him and the status he has found in the world of social media. That said, in his latest venture, these much-praised skills of his run into some difficulty.
The first episode of his latest three-part documentary series, Forbidden America, focuses on the modern American far-right; aptly titled Extreme and Online. Theroux looks into how the far-right has taken on a new, organised form, with charismatic, controversial figures and leaders at its centre. Three key figures are analysed in this episode, each one probed and considered in that effective Theroux style.
The first is Nicholas J Fuentes. We’re introduced to Fuentes upon his arrival in a slick sports car at CPac, the Conservative Political Action Conference, held in Florida. A group of young men with fists in the air greet him, whilst chanting ‘America First’ as he steps out of the car to great applause. Fuentes, who is just twenty-three years old, is considered too extreme by the Republican Party and is banned from their events. So, to combat this, he runs his own event, AfPac, the America First Political Action Conference.
What follows this introduction are some revealing, Theroux-steered conversations, followed by Fuentes’ conference speech. In the conversations, Fuentes reveals his extreme views with casual eloquence. This includes wanting to ‘keep women out of the inner circle’ of America First (his internet news show), that women shouldn’t ‘abandon (their) children’ to pursue a career, and that they even shouldn’t be allowed to vote.
Then, his speech. Fuentes is a worryingly-talented public speaker. He commands the stage and has the audience exactly where he wants them. All while delivering his views that claim America is at risk of ‘losing its white demographic core’ and that ‘white people founded this country.’ All received with yet more cheer and applause from his audience. To gain footage like this, to be really there in the midst of this subject matter is what’s keeping Theroux and his series so popular. A lot of documentaries (especially now, with streaming) are being released so regularly, many of which mainly end up just adding to the ever-growing catalogue of things to watch. Theroux still retains that grit to obtain such watchable footage, like Fuentes’ speech. Fuentes appears throughout the whole documentary, which is a testament to his mass influence on his followers – some of whom are fellow rising stars in the far right, including Anthime Gionet.
Gionet, who goes by the online name Baked Alaska, is the second figure that Theroux examines. Gionet is a keen watcher of Fuentes’ news show, America First, and describes him as ‘the most genius political mind’ he had ever come across. He was also at the insurrection of the US Capitol in January 2021 and is a self-described internet troll who communicates with thousands of his followers through live streams. In the live streams he mainly films himself on the street, while viewers send him money to say inflammatory remarks and play offensive music to passersby. When he and Theroux meet, after an introduction of Gionet saying that journalists have been his worst enemy, they talk about his presence online. When discussing a past tweet of his that claimed Jews controlled the media, Gionet responds to Theroux’s questioning of the anti-Semitism by saying ‘anti-Semitic is sort of like a made-up term.’
Through his interview with Gionet, Theroux sheds light on the contradictory, pseudo-ironic presentation these internet celebrities of the far-right aim to give off. A presentation of being racist whilst eye-rolling and laughing at the mere suggestion that they are, as though we’re not getting the joke. This posed a difficult position for him as the presenter, so it was wise to portray this juxtaposing nature of these online personalities.
The final figure in Theroux’s exploration is Matt Evans, also known as Beardson Beardly. Evans is a gamer and has his own homemade streaming show. He is also a friend and political ally of Nicholas Fuentes. For this opening episode of Forbidden America to include Evans, indicates that this series is not afraid to go to some dark places, much to its advantage. Evans’ history is a worrisome one as he was even part of an online spat with Brittany Venti, one of the few women this new far-right boys club seem to have allowed in, resulting in Evans threatening to rape her.
Following the bizarreness of Evans wearing a Louis Theroux t-shirt when he first introduces himself, his conversation with Theroux soon turns sour when the difficult questions begin. When confronted about footage and image of him doing what looks like a Nazi salute, Evans becomes defensive and shocked at the suggestion. What follows is a classic display of Theroux’s calmness in adversity, as well as a revealing of the anger and entitled fury that is at the centre of this far-right boys club.
Just as, if not more, strongly than their views, what unites Fuentes, Gionet and Evans, is the extensive, and uniquely impactful tool that they all use so effectively: social media. This opening episode conveys the typical, people-based format of Theroux’s documentaries; though social media and the power of online communities loom over this analysis of this new far-right. The professional, savvy control of online spaces and the mass following of these three men, both thrive despite the banning of them from mainstream social media. This episode reveals that there are loopholes and finding them clearly isn’t difficult enough.
Going forward, it is evident that this new far-right is growing and adapting to our changing world. It is also clear that the way we talk about and approach fixing this issue of the online world being a breeding ground for extremism needs to change. Those of us within mainstream politics clearly need to be more intelligent and wise when combating this issue. No more passing these far-right campaigners off as just wild and idiotic, because they’re clearly being greatly impactful. Perhaps more of us should be like Theroux, and not be afraid to immerse ourselves in the problem and ask difficult questions.
4/5 starts
Picture credits: TheMovieDB