Elon Musk is reportedly initiating legal proceedings against a documentary that recently premiered, criticizing director Alex Gibney as a “horrible human” on social media. The film titled Musk, showcased at the Venice Film Festival, received a standing ovation lasting five minutes.
Described as a detailed exploration of Elon Musk’s journey, the nearly four-hour documentary portrays him as a controversial figure with ties to right-wing ideologies and associations with influential personalities like former US President Donald Trump. The Guardian referred to the film as an “epic study” of the world’s wealthiest yet most ordinary individual, while Deadline labeled it a necessary critique that Musk deserved.
Scheduled for its Canadian debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 14, the documentary faced criticism from Musk since its announcement in 2023. Musk denounced it as a “hit piece” and continued to express his disdain on social media, labeling the film as “boring” and questioning director Gibney’s credibility.
Following Musk’s disparaging remarks, his lawyer, Alex Spiro, issued a formal legal notice to the production team, warning of potential legal action if they did not verify their information with reliable sources. In response, Jigsaw Productions defended the documentary’s accuracy, emphasizing the importance of scrutinizing influential figures in the spirit of free speech.
The film delves into Musk’s upbringing in South Africa, his entrepreneurial ventures including Zip2 and PayPal, and his subsequent ventures such as Tesla, SpaceX, and AI projects. It also sheds light on Musk’s connections to Trump and his involvement in dismantling the US Agency for International Development, a move linked to significant global repercussions.
Featuring interviews with key figures in Musk’s life and career, including Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard, ex-wife Justine Musk, and former associates, the documentary also explores Musk’s controversial statements and actions regarding Tesla’s self-driving technology and safety claims.
The film, set to premiere in North American cinemas on Oct. 16, with a wider release on Oct. 23, has sparked debates about Musk’s influence on society and the ethical implications of his actions.