'Agents of Chaos': Release date, plot, creators, trailer and all you need to know about HBO original documentary
HBO is known for producing insightful and acclaimed unscripted content on hard-hitting topics ranging from entertainment to politics. Adding to its ever-growing library, the network is satiating our curiosity of the Russian interference in the 2016 US Presidential election with a new documentary, dubbed 'Agents of Chaos'. Here is everything you need to know about the film that will provide a new perspective to the high-profile political controversy.
Release date
'Agents of Chaos' is a two-part documentary debuting on Wednesday, September 23, on HBO. The second installment will air on Thursday, September 24. The film will be available on-demand, the day after their respective premiere.
Plot
Russia hacked US democracy. In 2016, Donald Trump, a real-estate magnate famously known for hosting the reality TV series 'The Apprentice', won the presidential elections, but not without some help. The Russian government under Vladimir Putin interfered in the presidential election with the intention of sabotaging Hillary Clinton's campaign and boosting Trump's campaign, ultimately increasing political and social discord in the US. Social media content may have also manipulated political opinion and helped sway the race. 'Agents of Chaos' is an unscripted film that revolves around the Russian interference during the 2016 election, and comprises years of reporting, never-before-seen footage inside Russian troll farms, and unearths the Russian deep web, where politically incendiary Facebook, Reddit and Instagram posts and viral videos were created and disseminated.
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The film also delves into Russia's sophisticated plans to undermine democracy, raising an alarm for the American public. Furthermore, it also proved that these "agents of chaos" weren't Russians alone, but that they were also crucial players in the US, who through sordidness and corruption, helped fuel Putin's goals as a vulnerable and unsuspecting American public became their target. 'Agents of Chaos' features interviews with key players and experts, featuring classified information leaked by inside sources in an effort to decipher the complete details of Russia's interference. Many of the featured interviewees have never gone on the record before. In addition, it also highlights the frightening vulnerabilities of America's political process.
The interviewees comprise Andrew Weissmann, the lead prosecutor for the Mueller Investigation, Andrew McCabe, former FBI Deputy Director, John Brennan, former CIA Director, Carter Page, Donald Trump campaign advisor, Felix Sater, Trump business associate, Margarita Simonyan, Editor-In-Chief of Russian State News Agency, Celeste Wallander, NSC Senior Director, and Camille François, a cyber conflict researcher. 'Agents of Chaos' will shine a light on several key areas, including Paul Manafort's secret communications with Russia during Trump's 2016 campaign, how the FBI's Crossfire Hurrican investigation into Trump came about and the Obama administration's failure at stopping Russia's interference.
Creators
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'Agents of Chaos' is directed by Alex Gibney, the Emmy and Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker, known for his investigations into everything from Scientology to Theranos. He previously collaborated with HBO on 'Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief' and 'The Inventor: Out For Blood in Silicon Valley'. Part two of the film is co-directed with Javier Alberto Botero, and the duo previously worked together on 'Zero Days' (2016) which examined a cyberattack by the US and Israel that was directed at Iranian nuclear facilities.
The film is a Jigsaw/Investigative Studios Production with Gibney and Michael J Palmer serving as writers and producers alongside Kara Elverson. Other executive producers include Stacey Offman and Richard Perello, while Jennifer Jo Janisch and Clare Sloane Vance co-produced the picture. Palmer and Aleks Gezentsvey are the editors of the two-part film with Ben Sozanski serving as co-editor. Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller are executive producers for HBO and Sara Rodriguez is a supervising producer.
Trailer
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