Explosive Ben McKenzie Documentary Features SBF, Mashinsky Interviews
The world of cryptocurrency has been rife with drama, collapses, and controversial figures. Now, actor turned crypto skeptic Ben McKenzie is set to pull back the curtain even further with a new documentary featuring interviews with two of the industry’s most notorious former leaders: Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) and Alex Mashinsky.
Ben McKenzie Explores Crypto Skepticism on Screen
Known for his roles in popular TV series, Ben McKenzie shifted his focus to the complex and often opaque world of cryptocurrency in 2021. Collaborating with journalist Jacob Silverman, McKenzie has become an outspoken critic of many aspects of the crypto market, questioning its promises and exposing potential pitfalls. His deep dive into the subject led him to testify before a U.S. Senate hearing following the high-profile FTX collapse.
Inside the Crypto Documentary: Interviews with SBF and Alex Mashinsky
McKenzie’s directorial debut, titled “Everyone Is Lying To You For Money,” promises a critical look at the industry. A key draw of the film is the inclusion of footage from 2022, capturing former FTX CEO SBF and former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky before their respective empires crumbled and legal troubles mounted. These interviews offer a unique, pre-collapse perspective from figures now central to major financial fraud cases.
The documentary is scheduled to premiere at SXSW London in June. McKenzie has stated his motivation is to understand why the “false story of crypto” continues to spread. Beyond the interviews with SBF and Alex Mashinsky, the film is also reported to touch upon El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin under President Nayib Bukele, indicating a broader scope beyond just the exchange and lending platform failures.
The Fallout: Post-Interview Reality for SBF and Mashinsky
The interviews featured in the crypto documentary were conducted before the dramatic events that unfolded later in 2022. Since then, the legal landscapes for both figures have drastically changed:
- SBF (Sam Bankman-Fried): Following the implosion of FTX in November 2022, SBF was arrested and later found guilty on seven felony charges related to fraud and money laundering. In 2024, he was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.
- Alex Mashinsky: The Celsius Network filed for bankruptcy in July 2022. Mashinsky was later arrested and charged with securities fraud, wire fraud, and commodity fraud. He pleaded guilty to two felony charges in December 2024 as part of a plea deal and is awaiting sentencing, with prosecutors requesting a 20-year term.
It remains to be seen what insights or potentially revealing statements the documentary footage from 2022 might contain, given the subsequent convictions and plea deals.
Why a Crypto Documentary Matters Now
The release of this crypto documentary comes at a time when the industry is still grappling with the aftermath of major failures like the FTX collapse and the Celsius bankruptcy. Documentaries serve as a medium to synthesize complex events, provide historical context, and offer critical perspectives, especially for audiences still navigating the volatile crypto space or seeking to understand past controversies. McKenzie’s background and public stance as a skeptic add a particular lens to the narrative.
In conclusion, Ben McKenzie’s upcoming documentary featuring pre-collapse interviews with SBF and Alex Mashinsky is poised to be a significant piece of media examining the recent turbulent history of cryptocurrency. By combining insider access from a critical perspective, the film aims to shed light on the narratives and realities behind some of the industry’s most dramatic downfalls, offering viewers a potentially revealing look into the minds of the figures at the center of the storm before it fully hit.
