This KERA News article presents an interview with Stephen Crompton, the director of a short documentary titled Fake. The film centers on Peter, a man who actively travels to college campuses to spread his beliefs that the moon landings were staged and the Earth is flat. Crompton discusses his motivations for creating the film, his interactions with Peter, and his stylistic choice to focus solely on Peter’s perspective without external counterarguments. The director explores Peter’s commitment, sense of purpose, and the potential connection between flat Earth beliefs and a broader distrust of established narratives, noting Peter’s background as a retired engineer. Crompton also touches on the idea that for some, this belief system offers a sense of mission and can be linked to spiritual perspectives or a search for purpose after retirement.
