Ben McKenzie, known for roles in ‘Gotham’ and ‘The OC’, is making his directorial debut with a documentary titled ‘Everyone Is Lying To You For Money’. Set to premiere at SXSW London, it includes interviews with former crypto executives Sam Bankman-Fried and Alex Mashinsky. The film aims to investigate the misleading narratives around cryptocurrency and also touches on El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption. Both subjects now face serious legal consequences for their roles in their companies’ failures.
Ben McKenzie, an actor best known for his performances in shows like “Gotham” and “The OC,” is stepping behind the camera for his directorial debut. His new documentary, “Everyone Is Lying To You For Money,” is set to launch at SXSW London this June. The film gives a critical look at the cryptocurrency world, featuring interviews with two notorious figures—former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and ex-Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky, recorded prior to their companies’ dramatic losses in 2022.
The documentary aims to probe deeper into the pervasive myths surrounding crypto. “Why is the false story of crypto still spreading?” McKenzie asked, highlighting the key motive for creating this film, according to a report from Deadline. Since taking a stand against crypto issues in 2021, following FTX’s collapse in late 2022, McKenzie has been vocal about the industry’s pitfalls. This included making appearances at US Senate hearings to discuss FTX’s downfall.
In addition to the interviews with Bankman-Fried and Mashinsky, the film will delve into El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who became a controversial figure in cryptocurrency after his 2021 proposal to adopt Bitcoin (BTC) as legal tender. McKenzie collaborated closely with Jacob Silverman from The New Republic, aiming to shine a light on the intertwining of crypto and global economics.
Details about what the documentary might reveal from the Bankman-Fried and Mashinsky interviews remain uncertain. Cointelegraph made an effort to contact McKenzie for insights but had yet to receive any response at the time of writing. As anticipated, both subjects of the documentary have faced significant legal troubles recently.
Currently, Bankman-Fried is serving a 25-year prison sentence after being convicted on multiple felony charges linked to FTX’s failure. His legal troubles have spawned numerous documentaries and even a book by Michael Lewis. Meanwhile, Mashinsky pleaded guilty to two felonies in December 2024 and is on the brink of his own sentencing, scheduled for May 8, where authorities are pushing for a 20-year sentence against him.
