THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE, a new feature-length documentary about strange and controversial conspiracy theories by actor/executive producer Dean Haglund, will have its U.S. premiere on Saturday, May 21, at The Retro Dome in San Jose, California. The film follows Haglund as he travels the world, interviewing conspiracy theorists who believe in everything from UFO abductions to secret 9/11 plots by the U.S. government.
"We try to find what the truth is, even though people who believe the same thing often contradict each other," said Haglund. "There's a very fine line between what is valid and what has value. There is value in every point of view, but there is validity in just some points of view."
No stranger to conspiracies, Haglund is best known as Langley, one of the computer-hacking Lone Gunmen in the former hit TV series The X-Files and the Lone Gunmen's own spin-off series. An improvisational comic by training, he felt that it was important to approach the serious issues raised in the documentary with a sense of humor.
"Humor can cut closer to what is true than just a series of hard-hitting facts," he said. "Through my improvisational comedic training, I have the ability to hold the duality of what is true and not true at the same time. That comes in very handy when trying to analyze some of the conspiracies in the film."
Haglund's documentary had its world premiere on April 30 at the British Film Institute in London, where it received rave reviews. "THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE is a call to all eager for more knowledge and new insights," wrote Anastasia Hansen of the German publication The Junction. "It is not THE truth that is out there, but rather several truths that wait to be discovered." Marc Hershon of The Huffington Post wrote that the film "examines the world of conspiracy theories in a refreshing and novel way."
"THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE is unlike any film I've ever seen," said director, editor and co-executive producer Phil Leirness, a native of Cupertino, California. "Part of what sets it apart is its spherical structure, a structure that truly embodies the qualities of quantum consciousness that represent the necessary skill set for navigating life in the 21st century. Another unique component that audiences will appreciate is the effortlessly lighthearted tone. This is a film that shows no matter how confusing or scary or overwhelming the world might seem, getting off the Internet, going out into the world, meeting people and searching for the truth is fun. This film is fun, without ever poking fun at anyone, except maybe Dean and me."
The US premiere screening of THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE will be followed by a live installment of the weekly podcast show, Chillpak Hollywood Hour, featuring Haglund and Leirness. The pair will answer questions from the audience and share stories of their adventures on the road. Chillpak Hollywood Hour can be heard at www.chillpakhollywood.com.
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE will premiere at The Retro Dome, 694 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, CA 95129-5110 on May 21 at 7 pm. For information, call 408-404-7711. Movie information, trailer and a link to purchase tickets can be found at the official website, http://truth-is-out-there.com. Advance tickets can be exclusively purchased at http://truthmovieuspremiere.eventbrite.com/.
Other screenings are planned for Malibu, California (June 4), Charleston, South Carolina (June 24), Washington, D.C. (June 29), Los Angeles, CA (July), Atlanta, GA (September 3), Springville, NY (October 8), Melbourne, Australia (October TBA).
