Venice film shows Murdoch shaking up hidebound Britain

British filmmaker Danny Boyle's new movie "Ink" premiered at the Venice Film Festival, delving into the impact of Rupert Murdoch's media takeover on Britain's establishment. The film, based on James Graham's stage play, portrays Murdoch's 1969 acquisition of "The Sun" and the subsequent transformation of the country's once-conservative newspaper industry. Boyle emphasized that the audience should feel implicated in the story, as everyone was initially complicit in the journey.

Murdoch, played by Guy Pearce, is depicted as a young and energetic newspaper entrepreneur who challenged the English status quo and trades unions. Boyle noted that the film didn't demonize Murdoch, who reportedly disapproved of the newspaper's excesses, such as featuring topless model photos. However, it showcases Murdoch's transformation of Fleet Street's dominance into a global media empire with significant political influence.

Set over half a century ago, Boyle aimed to make the film feel contemporary, addressing modern concerns about media power, information, and truth. He expressed concern that advances in artificial intelligence could jeopardize journalism's traditional role as a watchdog and questioned whether AI-generated content could still "speak truth to power."

Actor Jack O'Connell portrayed Larry Lamb, the hard-driving editor hired to revamp "The Sun." Boyle highlighted Lamb as the central figure in the story, as he was instrumental in driving the newspaper's transformation. Graham, who adapted the stage play, had reportedly seen the film in London and New York and expressed his approval to Pearce, Murdoch's son.