VENICE, Italy (AP) — Elon Musk has been vocal in his criticism of filmmaker Alex Gibney ahead of the theatrical release of the documentary titled “Musk,” which is currently in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles and is set to expand nationwide on Friday.
In recent weeks, Musk has used social media platform X to label Gibney an “idiot,” a “horrible human,” and a “tinfoil hat crackpot,” among other pejoratives, expressing his discontent with what he considers a misguided portrayal of him. Since the documentary's announcement three years ago, Musk has derided it as a “hit piece.” Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival last month, he tweeted that “dog feces” deserve more respect than Gibney. Notably, Musk reportedly has yet to view the film and did not respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press.
Furthermore, the documentary's distributor, Bleecker Street, has faced significant challenges in promoting the film due to restrictions on ad placements across major social media channels. As of September 25, platforms including YouTube, Meta, TikTok, and X had rejected ads for “Musk.” Although YouTube and Meta eventually reversed their decisions, citing issues related to “political content,” the film's marketing strategy remains hampered. There's also uncertainty regarding whether the documentary will be available on HBO as initially planned, particularly in light of the Skydance merger, which influences distribution decisions amidst connections between Musk and key figures in the new conglomerate.
In an interview, Gibney noted the transactional nature of modern media, suggesting that Musk could potentially exert pressure to suppress the documentary’s release. There have been discussions of possible legal action from Musk’s representatives as well. However, Gibney aims to counter these tactics, leveraging his platform on X—both from his primary account and a newly established account @muskfilmfacts—to refute falsehoods and raise awareness of potentially censored content. The filmmaker pointed out the irony of a supposed “free-speech absolutist” threatening legal action to inhibit the film’s visibility.
The documentary, which took nearly four years to complete, provides a comprehensive look at Musk's influence and power, tracing his journey from Silicon Valley to leading enterprises like SpaceX and Tesla, as well as his controversial initiatives like the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Spanning nearly four hours, “Musk” features interviews with family members, journalists, business associates, and government officials. Gibney described the project as evolving into a “runaway story,” evolving alongside Musk's increasingly significant role in socio-political spheres. HBO executives encouraged Gibney to extend the narrative to cover Musk’s growing influence, particularly following his endorsement of Donald Trump after an assassination attempt.
Notably, Musk did not participate in an interview for the documentary, leading Gibney's team to employ a computer-generated version of Musk that speaks directly to the audience. This visual effect incorporates Musk’s words, derived from various recordings of his past statements. A particularly contentious moment in the film involves Musk's claims about having “10,000 lasers in space,” which has been criticized and misinterpreted by Musk’s supporters and legal team, despite the documentary merely presenting his texts for audience interpretation.
In addressing broader themes, Gibney seeks to synthesize critical information into a cohesive narrative that may engage not only Musk's critics but also his supporters. He regards the initial portions of the documentary, showcasing Musk's early successes, as engaging and potentially sympathetic, before unraveling the subsequent complexities of his actions and allegiances. Additionally, Gibney hinted at a more extensive, six-hour cut, emphasizing the importance of discussing pertinent issues raised in the film, including potential data misuse during Musk’s DOGE tenure.
In conclusion, Gibney expressed hope that viewers—whether or not they revere Musk—will engage with the film’s content thoughtfully. He hopes it prompts discussions on relevant issues, such as the operations and implications of Musk's enterprises regarding citizen data and broader societal contexts, inviting a diverse audience to reflect on the portrayal and influence of one of the world’s most powerful figures.
