Elon Musk is reportedly initiating legal proceedings against a documentary that debuted this week, where director Alex Gibney was criticized by Musk on social media. The documentary, titled Musk, premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received a lengthy standing ovation. It delves into Musk’s career as a provocative figure on the far-right and the head of a tech empire valued at a trillion dollars, highlighting his various companies, ever-evolving technological promises, and associations with influential figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Critics have described the nearly four-hour film as a deep exploration of the world’s wealthiest yet seemingly ordinary man. The film portrays Musk as a figure with negative traits, including pettiness, narcissism, megalomania, cruelty, and emotional detachment from personal relationships, while paradoxically expressing a desire to save humanity through Mars colonization. The documentary is set to have its Canadian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14.
Upon the initial announcement of the documentary in 2023, Musk denounced it as a “hit piece,” a sentiment he reiterated on social media in the past week. Musk has recently been active on social media, expressing his discontent with the documentary, labeling it as “boring,” and criticizing Gibney for lacking integrity and being a disgruntled individual. Musk’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, has issued a formal legal notice to the production, warning of potential legal action if the accuracy of the documentary is not verified with credible sources.
Jigsaw Productions, the production company behind the documentary, defended the film’s accuracy in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, asserting the importance of examining influential figures as part of free speech principles. Musk has been engaged in a public dispute with supporters and critics on social media regarding the documentary.
The documentary, directed by Gibney, delves into Musk’s life journey from his upbringing in South Africa to his entrepreneurial ventures with Zip2 and PayPal, leading to his involvement in Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, X, and his ambitions in AI technology. The film also scrutinizes Musk’s alignment with Trump and his role in government efficiency, where he was involved in restructuring the U.S. Agency for International Development, a move linked to significant global repercussions according to researchers.
The documentary extensively focuses on Tesla and its self-driving technology’s safety claims, examining legal battles and Musk’s evolving statements regarding the technology’s capabilities and safety standards. Interviews in the documentary feature key figures such as Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard, Musk’s ex-wife Justine Musk, neuroscientist Sam Harris, tech journalist Kara Swisher, and former USAID administrator Samantha Power. The film also includes insights from Ashley St. Clair, a former partner of Musk, who raised concerns about an alleged non-disclosure agreement offer.
Musk denied offering money for an alleged NDA, rebutting claims made in the documentary. The film also addresses Musk’s influence on X’s algorithm, with allegations of manipulation. The documentary suggests that Musk has favored inflammatory content on the platform, potentially contributing to societal division.
The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in North America starting on October 16, with a wider distribution planned for October 23.