Gonzo Journalism, Part 2 Electric Boogaloo

For my next journal entry I decided to go for a modern take on the genre. Critically acclaimed journalist Louis Theroux has become a household name for his nonchalant manner and bravery when it comes to putting himself in socially awkward situations. In this one Louis goes to Fallbrook California to meet with white-power skinheads namely Tom Metzger head of the White Aryan Resistance. The piece screams Gonzo journalism for the reason that it is made in no way to directly belittle, expose or undermine the group. The social commentary instead comes from the contrast of opinion between Louis and the subjects. Where Louis would come across as an apolitical multiculturalist, the over the top, far right views of the skinheads is jarring to say the least.

Louis is praised most for his ability to interact with seemingly anyone. A soft spoken, gentle man, he has never been afraid to speak his mind. He calls bull on Metzger using made up, blatantly racist ‘facts’ and insists that he doesn’t use the n-word in his presence. At the same time, he manages to build some sort chemistry and warmth with the man. This style of interviewing is fascinating to me as because it takes place over the course of several days and the subjects become increasingly familiar with Louis which can go any number of ways.

He thoroughly researches every person he plans to interview and we see this when he confronts Metzger’s attorney and manager John Malpezzi on his previous charges from when he worked with the infamous Pablo Escobar trafficking cocaine into the USA. This puts the elephant firmly in the room and Malpezzi’s discomfort is obvious at the idea he has been caught out.

“I’d rather not… discuss that you know, come on”

“You can’t talk about that?

“Well let me put it to you this way, I represented a lot of …come on out it… um I’ll show you the view boys (walks away from the camera), the view out here. Large clients like Pablo Escobar and that”

"Exactly who John was and how much of what he said I could believe was still all rather vague to me and possibly to him too”

The camera crew film every shot as a single take so we as the viewers get to see the conversation as it unfolds around us. Every shot feels very avant guarde and with every awkward silence we are left waiting for how the subject will react whether it be with open arms and open hostility.

I think this is the next step forward for Gonzo Journalism as it can be seen as it happens as opposed to a written form like Hunter S. Thompson. Perhaps the term Gonzo will be left in the grave with Thompson but his influence is clearly evident in modern day work.