Documentarian Alex Gibney, known for his films on figures like Enron and Elizabeth Holmes, is releasing a new film titled “Musk” at the Venice Film Festival that examines the scope of Elon Musk's power and influence. The nearly four-hour film, set for a theatrical release in October, delves into what Gibney describes as Musk's "ability to speak with confidence about the future in ways that convince people to invest in his companies."
Gibney told The Associated Press that he initially hesitated to take on Musk as a subject but was convinced it would provide a portrait of 21st-century power. He characterizes Musk not as an inventor, but as an investor whose genius lies in "stock pumping" – a strategy that convinces others to invest in ventures where the projected future may not align with current facts or possibilities.
The film also addresses Musk's shift in political alignment, particularly his support for former President Donald Trump. Gibney suggests this transition was driven by two key factors: Musk's tendency to align with sources of federal government funding and the significant number of federal investigations his companies faced. He notes that under a potential Kamala Harris administration, Tesla had been under criminal investigation, with a possibility of prison time for Musk, a detail he recalled Musk joking about on the Tucker Carlson show.
Gibney draws parallels between Musk and figures like those at Enron and Elizabeth Holmes, attributing this to what he calls "noble cause corruption." This occurs when an individual, driven by a belief in a significant cause – such as making humanity multiplanetary or advancing environmental sustainability – begins to justify questionable actions in service of that cause.
Despite the serious nature of the topic, Gibney described the film as a "fun ride." He also noted the pervasive fear among individuals within Musk's companies who were hesitant to speak on the record or on camera, even those who were admirers, citing their apprehension of Musk's reaction. Gibney stated that he began his research as an admirer but found that Musk's refusal to be interviewed led him to follow the facts, which ultimately "upended the myth of Elon Musk as a kind of modern Leonardo da Vinci."