Alex Gibney knows a thing or two about about powerful institutions.
The Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker has worked on movies about corrupt corporations (“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room”), and he’s worked on movies about the U.S. military (“No End in Sight”). He’s worked on movies about the Catholic Church (“Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God”), and he’s worked on movies about the Church of Scientology (“Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief”).
In his latest movie, the director takes a look at yet another enormous institution in Apple. “Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine,” which comes out Friday, explores the complicated world that the Apple co-founder inhabited and created -- sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. (Gizmodo, the Gawker tech blog that features prominently in the film, has referred to the movie as “The Steve Jobs Documentary Apple Doesn't Want You to See.”)
The are inescapable similarities between the subjects of “The Man in the Machine” and “Going Clear,” Gibney’s film about Scientology from earlier this year. Both films take hard looks at massive and, at times, controversial institutions forever associated with their domineering and brilliant founders -- Jobs in Apple’s case, L. Ron Hubbard in Scientology’s. (Of course, the depiction of Hubbard and his church is much more damning.)
When HuffPost asked Gibney this week about the lessons he has taken away from covering large institutions and the powerful people who head them, he took a moment, then said: “The stuff about power and power corrupting is definitely a lesson. You see it over and over and over again, and it happens both from inside and out.”
“At Enron and also at Scientology and at Apple, all in different ways, there is a kind of corruption that happens with power and, so, I think thats why it’s important to make films like this,” he added. “These powerful institutions persuade people that they are all good and that they should be left alone."
Rumors have circulated in recent months that Apple employees walked out in protest of a screening of "The Man in the Machine" earlier this year at South by Southwest. HuffPost asked Gibney if it matters to him when he hears the people most closely affected by his films don't take heed to their message.
"It matters," he said. “But I think one of the things I’ve learned -- and Lawrence Wright talked about it a lot with his book [Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief] -- is this idea of the Prison of Belief. Some people get imprisoned by the need to believe in something so fervently that they’re not willing to accept that there could be flaws."
That's not simply the fault of human instincts, though. In Gibney's opinion, the people up top bare a large brunt of the responsibility as well.
"If you look to some extent at the way that Apple has related to this film and also the way Scientology reacted to 'Going Clear,'" he said, "it’s all about trying assure the faithful that ‘We’ve got your back. Apple is all good. Don’t pay any attention to that man behind the curtain.'"
14 Music Documentaries Worth A Watch
'Madonna: Truth or Dare'(01 of14)
Open Image ModalLong before selfies took over the world, Warren Beatty watched Madonna, bemused, saying, "She doesn't like to do anything if it's not being filmed."
Justin Bieber's 'Believe' (02 of14)
Open Image ModalHow does a teenager cope with worldwide fame and adulation?
'Tantrums and Tiaras'(03 of14)
Open Image ModalThe roof flew off Elton John's unique world in this documentary produced by his partner David Furnish. Elton's flying off the tennis court in a sulk was a highlight. The relationship somehow survived and flourished.
'Springsteen and I'(04 of14)
Open Image ModalBy the fans, for the fans, as thousands of Bruce's most devoted followers videoed themselves sending messages to Bruce, and summing up their love for him in three small words each. Fascinating.
'Kylie - White Diamond'(05 of14)
Open Image ModalPost-cancer renaissance. Fresh triumph for the Aussie songbird.
Geri Halliwell's 'Look at Me'(06 of14)
Open Image ModalA study in solitude, post-Spice Girls - with her monologues and midnight musings, Geri successfully cured anyone of believing that pop stardom = happiness.
Blur 'No Distance Left To Run'(07 of14)
Open Image ModalCharting the build-up to Damon Albarn and pals' Hyde Park reunion concert of 2009.
'Katy Perry: Part of Me'(08 of14)
Open Image ModalHits and heartbreak - all are documented in this intimate but impossibly polished look at the world of Katy Perry.
'20 Feet from Stardom'(09 of14)
Open Image ModalOscar-winning look at life as a backing singer to the greats.
'Anvil: The Story of Anvil'(10 of14)
Open Image ModalUnbelievable but true story of what happened when Anvil got back together to see if they could find success second time around. Trust me, you don't need to have the band's records to find the story a superior tale of touring, tantrums and comradeship.
'Stone Roses: Made Of Stone'(11 of14)
Open Image ModalShane Meadows' impossibly one-eyed look at the Manchester favourites and their return to their own hallowed soil.
'Abba The Movie'(12 of14)
Open Image ModalWhat happened when Abba visited Australia and were mobbed, and canny execs decided to turn the experience into a film, but one without a script? Lou from Neighbours, that's what.
'Metallica: Some Kind of Monster'(13 of14)
Open Image ModalAnother film to cure any viewer of the illusion that with impossible amounts of money, album sales coming out of your ears and fans the world over, you MUST be a happy human being able to get on at all times with your fellow guitarist or, in this case, drummer. Bonkers.
This is... Spinal Tap'(14 of14)
Open Image Modal'Art is a lie that helps us make sense of the truth,' said Picasso. So does the fictional world of Spinal Tap shed possibly more light on life in a real band than anything else we've been shown. This is old now, but still perfect. We give it 11/10, of course.
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