A Hollywood Actor Turns His Lens on Crypto
Ben McKenzie, known for his roles in television shows like “Gotham” and “The OC,” is making a bold move into the world of crypto with his directorial debut. McKenzie’s documentary, “Everyone Is Lying To You For Money,” is set to premiere at SXSW London in June, and it promises to be a scathing critique of the cryptocurrency industry.
The film, which McKenzie wrote, directed, and produced, features interviews with two of the most infamous figures in the recent crypto crash: Sam “SBF” Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, and Alex Mashinsky, the former CEO of Celsius. Both interviews were filmed in 2022 before their respective companies collapsed, making this documentary a unique window into their thoughts and actions in the period leading up to the downfall.
A Search for Truth in the Crypto Wild West
“Why is the false story of crypto still spreading?” McKenzie questioned, according to Deadline. “That’s the question I set out to answer with this film.”
McKenzie’s interest in crypto goes beyond mere Hollywood curiosity. He has been vocal about his concerns regarding the industry since 2021, actively engaging in public discussions about its pitfalls. Following the FTX collapse, he even testified at a US Senate hearing investigating the exchange’s demise, further solidifying his stance as a critic.
The documentary will not only explore the narratives of SBF and Mashinsky but also delve into El Salvador‘s controversial adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021. President Nayib Bukele’s embrace of Bitcoin has been both praised and criticized, and the film will likely shed light on the complex relationship between the country and the cryptocurrency.
Unanswered Questions and Potential Revelations
While the documentary promises to offer a critical examination of the crypto industry, the content of the Bankman-Fried and Mashinsky interviews remains shrouded in mystery. Could these previously recorded conversations reveal new insights into the decisions that led to the downfall of FTX and Celsius? Or will they simply offer a glimpse into the minds of two figures now entangled in the complex web of criminal investigations?
With Bankman-Fried currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for his role in the FTX collapse and Mashinsky facing a potential 20-year sentence, the timing of this documentary couldn’t be more relevant. The film has the potential to not only entertain but also inform, potentially reshaping the narrative around the crypto crash and raising important questions about the future of the industry.
Cointelegraph reached out to McKenzie for comment, but no response was received at the time of publication. As the premiere date approaches, speculation will surely continue to build around the content of “Everyone Is Lying To You For Money.” Whether it delivers on its promise of exposing the truth behind the crypto crash or not, McKenzie’s foray into documentary filmmaking is sure to generate significant buzz in both Hollywood and the cryptocurrency community.
