The Program

 

James Fox' new documentary, The Program (sic), is one of the most hotly anticipated new movies in present day UFOlogy, and that's in quite a crowded market. It was a very troubled production. The Anglo-American film maker has had to wait a long time before releasing his new and updated report on the UFO scene because a previous distributor pulled the rug out. That will no doubt have allowed him to add new scenes, so I'm sure the time was not wasted. A lot has changed in the world, especially the United States, in the intervening period, see: https://hpanwo.blogspot.com/2021/01/donald-trump-portal.html. The film is not cheap, £15 to buy on Amazon UK. Once again there is no rental option. Is it worth it? The style is similar to James' other productions, see background links below. There are some very well composed time-lapse vignettes. It begins with a recap of the history behind the current situation and includes interviews with people who haven't yet spoken out about it, like Andre Carson. The narrative moves on to interviews with a series of people who claim to have insider information on the UAP programme; some speaking out anonymously. However a few are quite prepared to talk openly in a lit location and giving their full identity, like Lenval Logan, somebody I had not heard of before. Some witnesses are more famous and often more controversial, like Jason Sands; although his story sounds like many other close encounters and it is accompanied by newly released footage. Some participants are very persuasive; Sarah Gamm, in particular, impressed me with her testimony. There is one scene where she gives a long pause before answering a question and there is a close-up of her facial expression that I sense is sincere. Compare that with this very contrived piece of theatre: https://youtu.be/7ByWCFX4ZQs?si=QodDgckduvT-6Hj1&t=2759. One interviewee goes to a long way to protect his privacy. He is dubbed "Naval X", in the same pattern as the Brazilian "Military X" in Moment of Contact.

The Program delves into a quite old but very important piece of UFO Disclosure history, the case of Gary McKinnon. It includes some new and often quite shocking information about Gary's case regarding his personal experience. See here for my own coverage: https://hpanwo-voice.blogspot.com/2012/10/gary-mckinnon-free-man.html. James Fox also investigates the Calvine UFO incident, the "photograph of the century". He interviews Dr David Clarke, Nick Pope (of course!) and Craig Lindsay. Fox believes he has found the exact location the photo was taken; this has always been a big mystery. In one scene Fox confronts Dr Clarke over the same conundrum I had with him, that "Folklore man" had ruled out a non-human origin for the object. Clarke's response was not included in the film. See here for background: https://hpanwo-voice.blogspot.com/2024/06/would-real-kevin-russell-please-stand-up.html. James includes his own reportage of his presence at the recent NASA press conference, see: https://hpanwo-voice.blogspot.com/2023/09/new-nasa-press-conference.html. The Program is a good summary and introduction to the modern Disclosure discourse and "New UFOlogy". A lot of it I'm already familiar with, because I'm such an enthusiast that little escapes me attention; but it contains some information I had never heard of before and some intriguing interviews with people who have hitherto remained silent. Is it worth the fifteen quid? Although it is less groundbreaking than Moment of Contact I would still say yes.
See here for background: https://hpanwo.blogspot.com/2020/02/ufo-disclosure-portal.html.
And: https://hpanwo-tv.blogspot.com/2022/11/moment-of-contact-watch-party-review.html.