SXSW Preview — "New World Order"

As a kid, I used to make fun of the LARPer "nerds" that dressed up in fake armor and took over the city park on weekends to wage imaginary wars using duck tape weapons. 

The fact that after watching "Darkon," Luke Meyer and Andrew Neel's documentary about two men struggling to gain dominance in a LARP game, I found myself kinda wanting to strap on some fake armor myself says a lot about their ability as documentary filmmakers to perfectly capture a subject's point of view and passion about their hobby — no matter how weird the hobby may seem. 

For "New World Order," the directing duo's latest film, the subject is another hobby just as alternative — conspiracy theorists. Unlike "King of the Hill"'s Dale Gribble, who collects different conspiracy theories like one might collect baseball cards, the subjects of "New World Order" for the most part share the same, singular belief — a secret powerful organization runs both the country and the world and is responsible for game-changing events such as 9/11. 

While one can't swing a dead cat without finding a documentary about 9/11 conspiracy theories on YouTube, "New World Order" focuses less on the actual theories themselves and more on the people who believe them. 

By following around a collection of conspiracy enthusiasts (including Texas native Alex Jones) as they seek to expose the truth, two things become very clear: "Darkon" was just the tip of the iceberg in showcasing the filmmakers' talents and the lives of conspiracy theorists are always exciting. 

From being chased through a hotel by undercover federal agents, dealing with the threat of being whacked while on a fact finding mission at the Grassy Knoll in Dallas or just preaching the "truth" about 9/11 to a bunch of drunken frat boys in New Orleans, conspiracy theorists lead the kind of lives Ian Flemming might write about — even if some of the excitement is only in their heads. 

Much like "Darkon" made me reconsider my views on Live Action Role Playing, "New World Order" gave me a new perspective on a group of people who have become a punchline of sorts — even among internet weirdos.

While I don't think I'll be joining the crusade anytime soon, I whole-heartedly recommend watching "New World Order" if you are a fan of documentaries, conspiracy theories or just movies in general.

The film will premiere today, Friday the 13th, at 7 p.m. at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz. It will screen again Tuesday, March 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the Austin Convention Center.