Gilliam Blames 'Fear and Loathing' for QAnon

Filmmaker Terry Gilliam has expressed surprise that his 1998 film "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" has become indirectly linked to the QAnon conspiracy movement. He specifically cited the fictional drug adrenochrome, popularized by Hunter S. Thompson and amplified by the film, as a bizarre focal point for the conspiracy.

Gilliam also shared his dismay regarding contemporary public discourse, particularly the rise of anti-vaccine rhetoric leading to outbreaks of preventable diseases like polio and measles. He described other unfounded conspiracies, such as those involving graphene and microchips, as indicative of a "modern madness" driven by a desire for structure in a chaotic world.

The director also provided an update on his long-delayed biblical farce, "Carnival at the End of Days," which is once again stalled due to a reduction in Italy's international tax credits. Despite these setbacks, Gilliam remains philosophical, noting that the world sometimes offers unexpected better outcomes.