HBO's new docuseries, 'The Man Will Burn,' delves into the history and evolving identity of the Burning Man festival, a week-long event held annually in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. Directed by Jehane Noujaim and Vikram Gandhi, the four-part series, which received unprecedented five-year access to the Burning Man Project (BMP) organization, explores the festival's origins and its ongoing effort to maintain its core values against the influx of commercial interests and digital culture.
Origins and Evolution
The series traces the festival's beginnings in the 1980s on a California beach, where founder Larry Harvey first burned a wooden effigy, fostering a communal spirit among attendees. As the event grew in popularity, it relocated to the Black Rock Desert, a location affectionately known by participants as "La Playa." The early years were characterized by a more anarchic and experimental atmosphere, with instances of uninhibited behavior and gunshots for entertainment.
Navigating Modern Challenges
'The Man Will Burn' highlights the complex decisions faced by the BMP's leadership, particularly CEO Marian Goodell, as they grappled with the potential cancellation of the 2021 festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The series also showcases internal debates about the festival's direction, notably involving Kimbal Musk, who represents his brother Elon Musk's financial stake. Kimbal Musk advocates for the festival's inherent element of danger, a sentiment that contrasts with the organization's public health concerns and the challenges of international travel impacting attendee diversity.
The docuseries portrays a tension between the festival's foundational ethos of creativity and community and the encroaching influence of "tech money and other 21st century interests." The filmmakers present interviews with both first-time attendees and long-time participants, revealing a broader spectrum of the festival's community than often perceived. Figures like Grover Norquist also appear, illustrating the diverse political and philosophical backgrounds of some attendees.
Community and Creativity
Despite often being the subject of jokes that focus on its more hedonistic or countercultural aspects, 'The Man Will Burn' suggests Burning Man is a significant outlet for individuals seeking creative expression and community. The series aims to show a more varied demographic in terms of age, gender, and race than commonly assumed. The filmmakers' approach, interweaving historical footage with contemporary struggles, provides a unique perspective on the festival's enduring appeal and its persistent challenges.
The decision-making process surrounding the 2021 festival, including the internal disagreements about its potential cancellation, is presented as a pivotal moment. The series also touches upon the more extreme elements of the festival's past and the potential dangers associated with unorganized gatherings in the desert, underscoring the importance of the established festival structure for safety. As the festival moves forward in the post-COVID era, the influence of figures like Kimbal Musk on its future trajectory remains a key point of interest.