Betting on Zero
| Betting on Zero | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ted Braun |
| Produced by |
|
| Music by | Pete Anthony |
| Cinematography | Buddy Squires |
| Edited by | Leonard Feinstein |
Production company |
Zipper Brothers Films |
| Distributed by | Gunpowder & Sky |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Betting on Zero is a 2016 American documentary directed by Ted Braun. It investigates the allegation that Herbalife is a pyramid scheme, and follows Bill Ackman's short investment in Herbalife that is ostensibly a billion dollar bet that the company willl soon collapse.
Synopsis
The documentary follows billionaire hedge fund titan Bill Ackman and several former Herbalife distributors after Ackman takes a billion dollar short position in Herbalife, alleging it is a pyramid scheme destined to collapse. The film also chronicles Ackman's feuds with Herbalife CEO Michael Johnson and investor Carl Icahn, and the resulting controversy over both the short and Herbalife's business practices.[1]
Production
In addition to filming countless hours of cinéma vérité footage tracking Bill Ackman, anti-Herbalife activisit Julie Contreras and others, Director Ted Braun approached Herbalife CEO Michael Johnson, majority investor Carl Icahn, and current Herbalife distributors, but all declined to appear on film or on record. Instead, Braun sourced archival footage of these charcaters. [2]
The film was produced by Zipper Bros Films, the company that produced Undefeated, winner of the 2012 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. [3]
Controversy
It was reported that Podesta and Partners, a lobbying firm run by Heather Podesta and retained by Herbalife bought 173 tickets to a October 2016 screening of Betting On Zero at the Washington D.C. Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival in an attempt to keep the theater empty. [4] This attempt by Podesta to subvert the screening was later lampooned by comedian John Oliver on the November 6, 2016 episode of Last Week Tonight. [5]
Release
After premiering at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival, Gunpowder & Sky Distribution, formerly FilmBuff, secured distribution rights and is planning a theatrical release in early 2017. [6]
Reception
Fionnuala Halligan of Screen Daily wrote, "Even if it tells the age-old story of the filthy rich getting richer and the poor going nowhere, Betting on Zero is still rather shocking."[7] Kimber Myers of IndieWire rated it a letter grade of "B" and wrote, "Betting on Zero takes a matter-of-fact approach to its material, but it makes a convincing and sometimes emotional argument against Herbalife."[8]
References
- ↑ Townsend, Matthew (2016-04-14). "Ackman-Herbalife Feud Gets Fresh Scrutiny at Tribeca Film Fest". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 2016-11-08.
- ↑ Zeitchik, Steven (2016-04-22). "Tribeca Fest: 'Betting on Zero' stirs Herbalife waters". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2016-11-08.
- ↑ "Oscars 2012: Undefeated wins best documentary". The Guardian. 2016-02-26. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
- ↑ "Heather Podesta + Partners suppressed audience for documentary critical of client Herbalife". Politico. 2016-10-10. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
- ↑ "John Oliver delivers epic takedown of Herbalife". New York Post. 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
- ↑ N’Duka, Amanda (2016-11-07). "Herbalife Pyramid Scheme Docu Acquired By Gunpowder & Sky Distribution". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
- ↑ Halligan, Fionnuala (2016-04-15). "Betting On Zero: Tribeca Review". Screen Daily. Retrieved 2016-11-08.
- ↑ Myers, Kimber (2016-04-18). "Tribeca Review: Betting On Zero Makes An Convincing And Emotional Argument Against Herbalife's Pyramid Scheme". IndieWire. Retrieved 2016-11-08.