A new trailer for Alex Gibney’s upcoming documentary on Elon Musk has been released, ahead of its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The nearly four-hour film explores Musk’s influence over business, technology, media, and global politics, challenging the myth of him as a visionary savior.
The film, titled “Musk,” has a listed runtime of 225 minutes plus a 10-minute intermission and is screening out of competition at Venice.
Gibney, known for films like “Taxi to the Dark Side,” said he was initially unsure about making a film on Musk but was convinced by a close friend, according to The Associated Press. He described Musk as someone who builds his public image through confidence and future promises rather than facts or evidence. The filmmaker noted that Musk’s genius lies more in stock pumping than actual invention, and that his companies were under federal investigation. Gibney said one of the motivations for Musk’s political shift toward Donald Trump was fear of criminal prosecution under a potential Kamala Harris administration.
Musk reportedly called the documentary a ‘hit piece’ and declined to participate in its making, according to a report from theplaylist.net. Gibney’s film draws on interviews with people close to Musk including his former wife Justine Musk and Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard. The documentary also features a song by David Byrne, using Musk’s own public statements as lyrics. The song, “Let Me Sell You a Dream,” was co-written by Byrne and composer Daniel Pemberton.
Gibney said he began the project with admiration for Musk but ultimately found that his methods were deceptive and corrupting. He noted that people in Musk’s companies were afraid to speak with him on camera, which he found surprising for such a powerful figure.
The film will premiere at the Venice International Film Festival and then open in select U.S. theaters on October 16, followed by a nationwide expansion on October 23. Bleecker Street lists both dates on its official release schedule. HBO will handle North American television and streaming rights for the film following its theatrical release.
Gibney emphasized that his goal was not to simply judge Musk but to uncover what lies behind the public persona. He compared Musk’s behavior to figures like Enron executives and Elizabeth Holmes, noting how they twisted truth for personal gain.
Despite the serious subject matter, Gibney described the film as a compelling and entertaining watch.
IMAGE: Elon Musk 2014 31 January 2014, 16:26:22