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Hollywood Turns Silicon Valley Tech Titans Into October Film Subjects
Hollywood is making several films about famous technology leaders and one fallen business founder.
One movie returns to Facebook and the problems revealed by whistleblower Frances Haugen.
Another movie shows the crisis when Sam Altman was temporarily removed from OpenAI.
A documentary about Elon Musk recreates him with a computer-generated image and an AI voice.
Musk says that documentary is unfair and has threatened legal action.
A fourth film follows Elizabeth Holmes after the collapse of her company, Theranos.
It begins shortly before Holmes went to prison in 2023.
The films are expected to present these powerful technology figures in a critical or unflattering way.
Their release dates range from October premieres and theatrical openings to a December release.
Four films focus on Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Elizabeth Holmes.
The Social Reckoning revisits Facebook and the 2021 whistleblower revelations involving Frances Haugen.
Artificial dramatizes Sam Altman’s November 2023 firing and reinstatement at OpenAI.
Alex Gibney’s Musk documentary uses a CGI avatar and AI voice-syncing without Musk’s participation.
You Can See Everything examines Elizabeth Holmes before her 2023 prison term and reportedly opens October 16.
- Who
- Filmmakers portray Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Elizabeth Holmes, with Frances Haugen and Mira Murati also featured in the accounts.
- What
- Four films examine technology leaders, corporate controversies and the aftermath of Theranos.
- Where
- The films are intended for film festivals and theaters in the United States; Artificial premieres at the New York Film Festival.
- When
- The films are scheduled for October premieres or releases, except Artificial, which receives a limited U.S. release on December 25.
- Why
- The filmmakers are revisiting major Silicon Valley controversies, including Facebook’s internal documents, OpenAI’s leadership crisis, Musk’s public rise and the collapse of Theranos.
Filmmakers’ Critical Portrayals
Subjects’ Responses
Musk documentary
Filmmakers’ Critical Portrayals
Alex Gibney’s documentary traces Elon Musk’s rise from technology entrepreneur to the world’s richest man and a political powerbroker, using recreated interview material.
Subjects’ Responses
Musk refused to participate, called the documentary a “hit piece” and threatened legal action.
Technology power and accountability
Filmmakers’ Critical Portrayals
The films focus on controversies and alleged harms connected with powerful technology companies, including misinformation, effects on teenagers, leadership turmoil and fraud allegations.
Subjects’ Responses
The subjects are depicted through dramatizations or documentaries, while the articles do not report responses from Zuckerberg, Altman or Holmes to these films.
Key facts
- Films
- The Social Reckoning, Artificial, Musk and You Can See Everything
- The Social Reckoning
- Aaron Sorkin’s film revisits Facebook more than 15 years after The Social Network and covers Frances Haugen’s 2021 disclosures.
- Artificial
- Luca Guadagnino’s film stars Andrew Garfield as Sam Altman and depicts the November 2023 OpenAI turmoil.
- Musk
- Alex Gibney’s nearly four-hour documentary uses a CGI avatar and AI voice-syncing to recreate an interview with Elon Musk.
- Musk release
- The documentary is scheduled for release in select theaters on October 16.
- You Can See Everything
- Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s nearly three-hour documentary begins 34 days before Elizabeth Holmes reported to prison in 2023.
- Artificial release
- The film premieres at the New York Film Festival on October 5 before a limited U.S. release on December 25.
Sources
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