In class we've discussed Louis Theroux, one documentary of his that my classmates all found very interesting was the one on convicted pedophiles. I decided to look this up on the internet to see it for myself.
The documentary involves Louis Theroux himself being followed by a camera, he asks the pedophiles/ex-pedophiles questions that the public may be thinking or want to ask them. His first question 'Are you a pedophile?' is rather clever, it gives the ex-pedophile a chance to explain that he once was a pedophile but he no longer thinks in that way or is a pedophile any longer. This makes the audience question whether you are once a pedophile always a pedophile or whether it is possible to change.
The documentary takes place in 'Coalinga State Hospital' it is for mental health in california and is built to contain and treat the states most serious sex offenders. Louis asks many patients of the hospital questions and they are all willing to answer and give detail of their offenses. Each patient spent time in prison for child molestation and rape. Instead of being released they've been diagnosed with sexual disorders and been sent to the hospital against their own will.
All the men feel it is necessary to make it clear that now they are not attracted to children. I find it very interesting how Louis can get good developed answers through his interview techniques. This is one thing my group will need to think about when asking questions for our documentary - how we will get good answers. In the case of this documentary the answers are quite developed as the men feel that Louis is giving them a chance to explain themselves and how they are now and to send a message to the world that they are not the pedophiles they once were.
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