New World Order

Filmmakers Andrew Neel and Luke Meyer offer several conspiracy theorists—most notably Austin filmmaker, radio host, and author Alex Jones—a platform on which to air their views in New World Order. Without judging or poking fun, the directors follow their impassioned subjects in Texas, New York, Idaho, Florida, Mississippi, Dublin, and Istanbul, as they speak of cover-ups and the dangers of globalization. Jones, for instance, doesn't feel the White House has America's best interests at heart; he also believes that the military-industrial complex murdered John F. Kennedy (who speaks out, in archival audio, against “secret societies” and “secret proceedings”). If JFK's assassination spurred Jones' disillusionment, 9/11 had a similar effect on Seth Jackson, Luke Rudowski, and Mike Edgarton, who distribute pamphlets and DVDs on the streets of Biloxi, Brooklyn, and Grant, FL (Jackson and Rudowski both live by the saying, “9/11 was an inside job”), and cite Waco, Ruby Ridge, and Katrina as being instrumental in helping to crystallize their thinking. Each of the interviewees points to the same culprits: the powerful elites and wealthy industrialists who, they claim, are behind the New World Order (political figures including George W. Bush, Joe Biden, and John McCain appear via archival footage). While the lack of judgment is refreshing, New World Order would have benefited from a broader approach that included more factual information or opposing viewpoints from informed skeptics of conspiracy theories (rather than just bystanders). Still, this offbeat documentary is recommended, overall. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)