Elon Musk Unveiled – The Tesla Experiment

It’s 2014, and tech billionaire Elon Musk unveils his plans for a self-driving car before an enthusiastic audience. What consumers don’t know is that Tesla’s “autopilot” function is far from road-ready, and new owners are being used to improve the software by providing their data. A fatal accident in Florida triggers a protracted lawsuit to hold Tesla accountable—and it’s not the only incident. Shocking footage from dashcams and security cameras shows the ruthlessness of Tesla cars suddenly braking or accelerating—and the crashes that follow. Then, an employee leaks thousands of documents containing complaints from users. This rigorous investigative film traces Musk’s meteoric rise and his shift toward supporting Donald Trump, who prioritizes entrepreneurial success over safety regulations. Interviews with victims and their relatives, alongside journalists and former Tesla employees, reveal a climate in which an unfinished product is released—using public space as a deadly testing ground.

Supported by Goethe-Institut Australia