Dr. Dean Bertram and Jason McLean are still perusing the audio-visual wing of the Mysterious Library. This week, they are taking a look at the new documentary THE CONSPIRATOLOGIST from filmmakers Stephen Bradford & Justin Jay Jones. The film examines the colorful life of Norio Hayakawa, a 76 year-old Japanese American conspiracy researcher living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For over 45 years, Norio has studied UFO sightings, Area 51, and the impact conspiracy theories have on American culture.

In addition to UFOs, the film explores Norio's passion for country western and what he calls "Cosmic Wave" music. Like your Mysterious Librarians, Norio is suspicious of the popular "Extraterrestrial Hypothesis" approach to UFO phenomena. He suspects much of it might have far more earthly, if secretive, origins, while some is perhaps far stranger than even ETs from another planet. The film screens as part of the 7th annual MidWest WeirdFest, at the Micon Cinema in Downtown Eau Claire, Wisconsin, March 3-5, 2023.