Will the Zuckerberg, Musk and Altman movies make a dent on tech giant evangelism?
The triple release of The Social Reckoning, Musk and Artificial is less a clear political stance, more like movie studio opportunism Hollywood is sending a clear message: it’s a friend of tech. Netflix is no longer a lone disruptor: historic studio MGM is now the property of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos; David Ellison’s takeover of Paramount and subsequent Warner Bros merger was supported by his tech…
The simultaneous release of three films - The Social Reckoning, Musk and Artificial - aims not to make a strong political statement, but rather to signal Hollywood's friendly stance towards the tech industry. This move is seen as a clear message that Netflix is no longer the sole disruptor in the industry, as even historic studio MGM, which is now under Amazon's Jeff Bezos, has begun aligning itself with tech giants.
Moreover, David Ellison's acquisition of Paramount and subsequent merger with Warner Bros. was supported by his tech-savvy father, while Apple TV has been a patron of numerous film-maker passion projects. Even the trendsetting auteur-factory A24 is now financially tied to AI.
The immense influence and wealth of the tech industry, along with its significant impact on politics and the wide use of algorithms and AI products, have led Hollywood to not only court this wealth, but also to intensify the age-old tension between art and commerce in the entertainment business. While technology that enhances the human experience can be a compelling narrative subject, this year sees the release of a trio of films centered around the tech gurus who have made false promises.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
