PODCAST:Things Fell Apart
TITLE:S2. Ep 8: Mikki’s Hero’s Journey
DATE:2024-01-09 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
The episode titled "Mikki's Hero's Journey" from Season 2 of the BBC Radio 4 podcast "Things Fell Apart," released on January 9, 2024, delves into the life and evolution of Mikki Willis, an independent filmmaker and a key figure in various culture wars. The episode reveals how Willis' experiences in Hollywood, combined with personal tragedies, shaped his worldview and led to his involvement in controversial cultural debates.
Initially, Willis had aspirations in Hollywood, but his encounters with the industry's darker aspects, including an experience of sexual predation, left him disillusioned. His brother's death from AIDS and his mother's subsequent passing, both of which he attributes to the medical establishment's mishandling of the AIDS crisis, further fueled his distrust in mainstream medicine and science.
Willis' discovery of Joseph Campbell's "The Hero's Journey" profoundly influenced him, providing a narrative framework that he would later apply to his own life and work. This framework became evident in his approach to filmmaking, particularly in his controversial documentary "Plandemic," which propagated vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The podcast discusses how "Plandemic" went viral and brought Willis into the limelight, but also led to significant backlash from his community and a shift in his personal and political beliefs.
Willis' journey is marked by several significant moments: his decision to leave Hollywood, his response to the 9/11 attacks, his viral video featuring his son with a mermaid doll, and his later involvement in the culture wars through his documentaries. His works often challenge mainstream narratives and have led to accusations of spreading misinformation, particularly regarding COVID-19 and vaccines.
The episode also explores the impact of Willis' work on public discourse and the dangers of using a narrative like "The Hero's Journey" in documentary filmmaking, where it can simplify complex issues into a battle between good and evil. The podcast emphasizes the importance of truth and the harmful consequences that can arise from the spread of untruths, as seen in the various culture wars Willis has been involved in.
