Documentary on Elon Musk Premieres at Venice Film Festival, Highlights Global Right-Wing Ties
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Filmmaker Alex Gibney discussed his new documentary about Elon Musk at the Venice Film Festival, saying the film links the tech entrepreneur to right-wing political movements worldwide.
Filmmaker Alex Gibney presented his documentary "Musk" during a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, where the 225-minute film premiered in the Venice Open – Out of Competition program. Produced by Jigsaw Productions, Closer Media, Anonymous Content and Double Agent, the documentary examines Elon Musk’s influence as the head of X, Tesla and SpaceX.
Gibney said the project’s focus shifted after the team learned of Musk’s alignment with President Donald Trump and other right-wing leaders. He described the film as combining “the reality of what he has done and the unreality of his narrative,” using an avatar that speaks Musk’s own words and video-game imagery to illustrate the subject’s ideas about simulation theory.
When asked about possible legal action, Gibney replied, "> We consulted our lawyers, and they gave us a sign-off to go forward." He also noted that many interviewees expressed a “tremendous sense of fear” about speaking on the topic.
The director argued that Musk’s support for right-wing parties in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Turkey reflects a broader “global right-wing agenda” driven by both ideological and financial motives. He said right-wing governments are often “more pliable” and therefore “more amenable to the crony capitalist idea.”
Political commentator Ashley St. Clair and technology journalist Zoë Schiffer joined the discussion. Schiffer said Musk demands loyalty at his companies and has adjusted X’s algorithm to suppress mainstream journalism while amplifying inflammatory content. St. Clair, who previously disclosed a non-disclosure agreement related to a personal relationship with Musk, said his actions “stoke flames that don’t exist in the real world” and could cause “real-world effects."
In a statement on the festival’s website, Gibney said the film “re-tells a familiar biographical tale” but aims to reveal “a more disturbing truth,” likening Musk’s public persona to a “confidence man” and warning of the dangers of unchecked power.