Behind the Curve
A documentary about people who think the earth is flat, and why we sometimes hold strange beliefs.
Interview with Director/Producer Daniel J. Clark
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
It’s hard to avoid seeing references to “Flat Earth” on the internet. We would often see it, but we’d think to ourselves, “This isn’t real. Maybe it’s just another internet troll.” Until one day, when we realize it’s actually real. That opens up a ton of questions: How? What? Where? Huh? We then got to know the internet community of Flat Earth and who the key players were along with the fact that in November of 2017, there was to be the first ever Flat Earth International Conference. We knew we had to tell this story, and we knew we had to start right away.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you’re in the audience, you’re probably at least vaguely familiar with the fact that some people actually believe the Earth is flat, so the reason you should watch the film is to understand who these people are. Beyond that, you should watch to learn that they are just that: people. Albeit these people have a very different belief system than most in the world, but they have families, friends, and a community. The film also leads the audience on a journey of what it means to really believe in something that is not based in accepted reality.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
We all believe in things: religion, political ideals, dream catchers, essential oils… some of these are based on facts, some on our personal experience, some of it is based in education, and some of it is purely how we feel. Behind the Curve uses Flat Earth as a lens into why people can believe something and how people who disagree can often lead those in fringe groups to hold on tighter to their beliefs, getting more and more entrenched to the point of no return.
How has the film evolved over the course of its development?
We knew we wanted to meet and follow many Flat Earthers as they prepared for the first-ever conference, and as we began meeting people, we found that different people filled different roles: Mark Sargent is the “tour guide” and referred to by many as the “father of flat earth” - Patricia Steere interviews many people in the community and is the “reporter” of the group - Bob Knodel and Jeran Campanella are “the engineer” and “the experimenter” respectively. Each person plays a part that when combined forms a large and robust community. One thing we did not expect was the rifts within the community and the in-fighting that occurs. In a large group of conspiracy theorists, it’s inevitable that conspiracies and mistrust will form from within.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The reception from audiences has been fantastic. Many people have thanked us for making a film that is very entertaining but also very insightful and empathetic--hopefully encouraging people to reach out to others with different beliefs and have a conversation to try to understand each other better. Often people also ask how the Flat Earth community has responded. Generally, the response has been positive. Although, as to be expected, we have had some Flat Earthers who are quite upset with the film because it doesn’t show Flat Earth as true.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
We have had a lot of people question whether giving screen time to Flat Earthers helps propagate their message. I think that is a fair question, but if the result of watching the movie leaves someone thinking “the Earth is Flat” then it’s hard to imagine they didn’t think that before. By making a movie about something, I don’t believe that validates the idea.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Of course, we feel like everyone should see our film. We feel like it’s entertaining and informative and has a strong universal theme that can resonate throughout any community. We hope that those exploring this site are encouraged to take a look and give it a chance.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We would love for journalists and academics to take the film’s message and possibly apply it to what they do or use it as a conversation starter for bridging divides between communities who fundamentally disagree.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
It would be great if this film sparked debates over how people form and hold onto their beliefs. Building empathy with the subjects of our film who disregard all evidence contrary to their beliefs in order to create their own reality, will help those who are not Flat Earthers see that behavior to a lesser degree in themselves and others.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film
What’s the craziest thing you believe?
Would you like to add anything else?
As filmmakers, we’ve often had to make clear that we are not Flat Earthers and even though the film takes a tone of objectivity, it’s important to know that it is through a lens of fact that the Earth is a globe in space. We believe this because it’s true and provable. The movie begins at that point and it examines that in the face of reality, why do people hold on to a belief that nearly every single person on the planet disagrees with and how a small-but-growing internet-based community can see it so completely differently.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We are always looking to create projects that look at how we interact with each other in the current time and how technology has changed not only our access to information, but access to information that we choose is correct.
Interview: December 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Behind the Curve
A documentary about people who think the earth is flat, and why we sometimes hold strange beliefs.
Length: 95:00
Director: Daniel J. Clark
Producers: Caroline Clark, Nick Andert, Daniel J. Clark
About the writer, director and producer:
DANIEL J. CLARK has worked in documentaries for years as an editor, cinematographer, sound mixer, and more. Behind the Curve is his first feature documentary.
NICK ANDERT is a midwesterner and science nerd with a decade of experience in the documentary world. Behind the Curve is his first film as a producer.
CAROLINE CLARK is part of the producing team for various unscripted television and documentary productions for Netflix, Amazon, National Geographic Channel, ESPN, and A&E.
Key cast: Mark Sargent, Patricia Steere, Tim Urban, Scott Kelly, Hannalore Gerling-Dunsmore, Spiros Michalakis, Per Espen Stoknes, Joe Pierre, Bob Knodel, Jeran Campanella
Facebook: Behind the Curve film
Twitter: @behindthecurve_
Instagram: @behindthecurvefilm
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play and DIRECTV