After Musk, a new documentary on the Tesla CEO, earned enthusiastic applause at the Venice Film Festival in Italy, Elon Musk attacked the documentary online, calling it a tabloid piece rather than a documentary, drawing even more attention to it in the process.
Here's what to know
After about three years of buildup, Oscar- and Emmy-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney's documentary 'Musk' reached audiences at the Venice Film Festival, CleanTechnica reported. The film drew strong reviews, with reports saying the standing ovation lasted roughly four to five minutes.
Elon Musk has criticized the project since it began in 2023. The Tesla CEO declined to be interviewed, had already called the film a "hit piece" in 2023, and then renewed his attacks on X on September 9 by writing: "Dogshit is worth more respect than Gibney."
In separate posts, Musk continued the criticism. He wrote, "Gibney just assembled a hit list of people who either have an axe to grind or don't even know me (but still have an axe to grind)." He also posted: "It's a hit piece that misses, and makes the fatal sin of being boring for 4 hours."
Speaking to the Associated Press on September 9, Gibney argued that Musk is "afflicted with what some people call noble-cause corruption." He also added, "His genius is stock pumping."
More background
NPR reported on September 10 that Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, sent a letter to Gibney's production company, Jigsaw Productions, objecting to a segment featuring former MAGA influencer Ashley St. Clair and discussing rumors about Starlink and election manipulation.
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Spiro argued that public information had already disproved those claims and warned Jigsaw: "You are therefore on notice, before release, that the insinuation is false, that the material refuting it is public, and that you chose not to be told the rest." Jigsaw responded by defending the film and its broader right to scrutinize powerful people.
The Hollywood Reporter said on September 16 that Universal Pictures, which holds the film's rights outside North America, appeared to be reconsidering its release plans, while The New York Times reported on September 17 that North American distributor Bleecker Street was still moving ahead.
What can be done?
Bleecker Street still plans to screen Musk on October 9 in New York and Los Angeles, with a wider theatrical release set to begin October 16.
Jigsaw said the First Amendment protects its "right to engage in open debate and fact-based examinations of powerful public figures," adding that it's something that should be "recognized and defended by all Americans, including the associates of Elon Musk, who has proclaimed himself to be a 'free speech absolutist.'"
Where can I learn more?
These stories look at Musk's controversial public remarks, scrutiny, and investigations involving Tesla and Starlink.
• At a UK rally, dangerous and inflammatory remarks from Musk triggered immediate public backlash.
• Tesla's Cybertruck became the world's most hated EV as years of hype backfired.
• Flight trackers said Musk spends more time in the air than on the ground.
• In Southeast Asia, officials launched an investigation into Starlink over ties to scam centers.
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