Interview: James Fox's New Documentary 'The Program' Explores The "Unprecedented" Push For Disclosure

December 18, 2024 1:00 AM ‐ UFOs • Documentaries

James Fox, one of the most renowned filmmakers in the field of UFO documentaries, has released his latest project, 'The Program'. Known for critically acclaimed works like 'The Phenomenon', James' newest documentary delves deep into recent efforts by the US Congress to uncover what intelligence agencies and the government know about Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs), often referred to as UFOs.

Narrated by actor Peter Coyote, the film - which is available now on iTunes, Apple, Vimeo, Google Play, Fandango, and YouTube - presents a complete narrative of what James describes as an 'unprecedented' push for transparency in the United States.

When I spoke to James about the film, he described it as capturing a pivotal moment in history. "I tried to take this unprecedented period of what, four or five years, and condense it down into one quick watch, basically," he said. The one-hour-and-42-minute film weaves together the evolving political landscape, insider testimonies, and eye-opening encounters to create a thought-provoking exploration of the phenomenon.

James believes the current attention the topic is getting represents a unique chapter in UFO history. For James, it's evidence of a shift: "I don't use the word 'unprecedented' lightly, but really we are living in unprecedented times in regards to this push for transparency."

One of the selling points of 'The Program' is its succinct retelling of the road to disclosure that it feels like we are on. I asked James how close we are to knowing the full truth about UFOs. He recounted his experience attending a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., just weeks before our conversation.

While some dismissed the hearing as inconsequential, James disagrees. "We had a rear admiral, Tim Gallaudet, basically testifying under oath that there are objects under the sea demonstrating characteristics that defy conventional explanation," he explained. Additionally, testimony from an insider associated with the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) referenced a crash retrieval programme - an assertion James considers monumental. "There are consequences for lying to Congress, particularly when you're under oath. So that, in itself, was kind of a big deal."

Yet, James is realistic about the pace of progress. He recalled Senator Mike Rounds' remarks at a post-hearing event: "Just remember, we are not running a 100-yard dash here. This is a marathon." James interprets this as a reminder that meaningful disclosure may take years, though he's optimistic about eventual revelations. "I'm told...that the plan is to at least disclose the fact that we have definitive proof that we're not alone by 2030," he shared.

"What's happening is that our elected officials, who are supposed to provide oversight to the intelligence agencies, are uncovering programs that have been operating sort of black, free from any level of oversight," James explained. He also highlighted the historical reluctance of officials to speak out due to stigma, something that is now beginning to shift.

James added that the secrecy surrounding UAPs often transcends conventional government structures. "It seems to be sort of a government within a government," he said, describing how unacknowledged Special Access Programs (SAPs) are often shrouded in layers of bureaucracy. According to his research, the Department of Energy oversees many of these programs, which he believes is because they're a department that operates with minimal oversight.

I asked James why such secrecy should persist. He recounted a conversation with a general who offered a pragmatic explanation. "We have overwhelming data...there are structured craft of unknown origin whizzing around in our airspace with impunity. Should they turn out to be hostile, we have no defence against them."

James explained that admitting that there is no defence against UAPs is difficult for those in charge of public security to disclose, as it could create widespread unease or panic. He said, "There's really no incentive for them to do that," but added, "It could be a little scary, but the public has a right to know."

James reminded me, "It wasn't that the government suddenly, out of nowhere, had an epiphany and decided to be more transparent with the general public. It was a couple of insiders that decided, in protest of excessive secrecy, to walk some evidence out of the Pentagon and on the front page of The New York Times" - a leak that effectively forced the government's hand through the press attention these leaks gained.

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Photo: © Lab 9 Films

One of the standout cases featured in 'The Program' is James' analysis of the Calvine UFO incident, a sighting that has intrigued researchers for decades. The case revolves around a photograph reportedly taken near Calvine, Scotland, in 1990, showing a large diamond-shaped object hovering in the sky, pursued by military jets. For years, this image was classified, fuelling speculation about its authenticity and significance.

To investigate the case, James travelled to the UK to meet with David Clarke, an investigative journalist specialising in UFOs, and Andrew Robinson, a graphic designer who helped enhance the photograph for analysis. Together, they examined the original Calvine photograph, which had only recently been uncovered. James then travelled to Scotland for the first-ever on-camera interview with Craig Lindsay, a former RAF press officer who had been the original recipient of the Calvine photograph when it was sent to the Ministry of Defence in 1990.

Another fascinating account comes from UFO whistleblower Jason Sands, who claims a mysterious figure flagged him down in the Nevada desert. Sands alleges the figure, who was seeking a spare part for a spaceship, wore military-style gear and, even more bizarrely, appeared to have no ears.

James described a detail that stood out in Sands' story, "This individual...had military gear on, but there wasn't a single dust particle or dirt crumb, nothing on his outfit. His shoes were immaculate." James thinks this peculiar detail lends credibility to Sands' claims, as they seem too specific to have been invented.

These moments in 'The Program,' as well as mentions of intact alien craft and non-human biologics, might be hard to swallow for some skeptics. James accepted that this skepticism is warranted. He told me, "I would be skeptical too, and I still am skeptical." He added, "Extraordinary claims do require extraordinary evidence." However, he emphasised that witnesses featured in the film, including military personnel, have offered to testify under oath and even take polygraph tests.

Creating 'The Program' was no easy feat, with James facing numerous hurdles to secure interviews and footage. He talked about the difficulties in securing an interview with Hal Puthoff, a key figure in the film. "He wouldn't even meet with me," James revealed. "It took years to build enough trust for him to go on camera, and everything had to be carefully screened."

'The Program' captures an extraordinary moment in UFO history, weaving together decades of investigation, high-profile interviews, and recent developments in UAP research. As James put it, "I think it documents an unprecedented period in time of an unprecedented push for government transparency." He continued, "I try to make sense of the congressional hearings, how they came about, what we found out, and how we've gotten to where we are today."

The documentary is available now on iTunes, Apple, Vimeo, Google Play, Fandango, and YouTube. Whether you're an expert in the phenomenon of UAPs or struggling to keep up with the fast-paced developments of recent years, 'The Program' provides a concise and comprehensive overview of the current state of play. It acts as both a valuable review for those closely following the news and an accessible introduction for anyone who may feel they've been left behind.

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