Plenty of people believe the Earth is flat. Not because of scientific evidence or empirical data, but because their sensory perceptions of the world believe so. Why is the horizon flat? If the Earth is spinning at 1000 miles per hour, why don’t I feel it? Why would I believe the round Earth propaganda of the deceitful world order? These are the questions that trouble flat Earth theorists, pushing their rejection of universally accepted truth. While it would be easy to make a documentary that mocks and easily disproves flat-Earthers, Behind the Curve, does more than that by documenting the comfort and joy of finding a like minded-community.
Behind the Curve doesn’t seek to disprove the flat Earth theory, mainly because it disproves itself. Rather, it focuses on the lives of flat Earth theorists, delving deep into different aspects of narcissism, self-worth, and community acceptance. This documentary features different voices in the flat Earth community, including prominent leaders like Mark Sargent and Patricia Steere who lead YouTube shows and public forums about flat Earth. Ultimately, they believe the Earth is flat and enclosed in a dome because the world order seeks global control by suppressing us from the truth. Although ungrounded, this belief unifies conspirators from around the world together in solidarity, providing a place of comfort and acceptance for the most skeptical of people.
Flat-Earthers are often portrayed in the media as idiotic buffoons with no substantial understanding of science or fact. Celebrities in particular face massive backlash when expressing their flat Earth beliefs. Remember when the sports world unrelentingly mocked Kyrie Irving for his flat Earth beliefs? As flat Earthers face universal contempt and mockery, director Daniel J. Clark takes steps to humanize flat Earth theorists. His documentary follows flat Earthers and their social leaders, showcasing their relatively normal routines and family lives. Clark presents these theorists as normal people who simply have a radical view on the world. Behind the Curve then delves deeper into the flat Earth community, documenting the boastful moments of narcissism that flat Earth theory leaders bathe in and semblances of self-worth that a rejected community has found through their new loving community. It’s really refreshing to see the real sides of a popularly notorious social group.
In addition to prominent flat Earth theorists, the documentary also features physicists from The California Institute of Technology and a psychiatrist from University of California, Berkeley, among other science professionals, to provide their own perspectives on flat-Earthers. Of course, each professional takes their own jab at the absurdity of the theory, shooting it down quickly with logic and science, but they sure don’t take their time to overly ridicule it’s proponents. Rather, they express support for members in the flat Earth society, emphasizing it’s more important to encourage radical thinkers toward rational thought instead of lambasting them for their absurdity.
Of course, their theory is still ridiculous, leading to many hilarious moments of flat-Earthers repeatedly disproving themselves. Through all the absurdity and unintentional comedy, Behind the Curve presents a humanistic look at some of the most ridiculed people in America. It’s certainly a fun and educational watch, perfect for those intellectually curious.
Related Topics: behind the curve, Documentary
