Elon Musk has reportedly initiated legal proceedings against a documentary about him following its highly anticipated premiere this week. Musk criticized director Alex Gibney as a “terrible person” on social media. The documentary, titled Musk, was showcased at the Venice Film Festival and garnered a five-minute standing ovation. It delves into Musk’s career as a controversial figure in the tech industry and his associations with influential personalities such as former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Receiving mixed reviews, critics described the four-hour film as a detailed exploration of Musk’s life, with The Guardian dubbing him “the world’s richest and most mundane man.” Deadline criticized Musk’s portrayal in the documentary, labeling him as “petty, narcissistic, and detached from human connections.” The film is set to premiere in Canada at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14.
Musk had previously labeled the documentary as a “hit piece” when it was announced in 2023, a sentiment he reiterated on social media recently. Musk’s responses on X since the premiere included calling the film “tedious” and attacking Gibney’s credibility. Musk’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, issued a formal legal notice to the production, warning of legal action if the documentary’s content was not verified with reliable sources.
Jigsaw Productions defended the documentary’s accuracy, stating that Musk should support the freedom of speech to scrutinize public figures. The production company emphasized its commitment to examining influential individuals. Attempts to reach out to Spiro and Jigsaw Productions for comments were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Director Gibney, known for his investigative films on various subjects, expressed concerns about Musk’s influence on democracy. The documentary explores Musk’s journey from his upbringing in South Africa to his ventures in technology, including Tesla, SpaceX, and his involvement with AI. It also delves into Musk’s ties with Trump and his controversial actions in government efficiency roles.
The documentary primarily focuses on Tesla’s safety claims regarding self-driving technology, highlighting legal issues and Musk’s evolving statements about autonomous vehicles. Interviews with key figures like Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard and Musk’s ex-wife shed light on various aspects of Musk’s life. The film features Ashley St. Clair, a former associate of Musk, who alleged being offered money to remain silent in the documentary.
Musk disputed claims of offering money to St. Clair and dismissed her allegations as false. The film also addresses Musk’s control over X and alleged manipulation of algorithms to amplify certain voices. It touches upon the potential societal impacts of Musk’s actions, according to statements made by participants during a conference before the premiere.
The documentary is scheduled for a limited theatrical release in North America on October 16, followed by a wider distribution on October 23.
