The Telluride Film Festival this weekend became the stage for a surprising premiere: You Can See Everything a documentary about Elizabeth Holmes the infamous founder of Theranos. Directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim the film offers an unprecedented glimpse into Holmes’ life, particularly the 34 days leading up to her imprisonment.
The documentary, produced by A24 is not just another retelling of the Theranos scandal. It is a deeply personal and unsettling exploration of Holmes’ psyche, capturing her in a way that previous fictional interpretations have not. The film crew’s access to Holmes’ life, including her interactions with her family and legal team, provides a unique perspective on the woman behind the scandal.
The Impact of Theranos on Patients
The Theranos scandal had real and devastating consequences for many people. The company’s blood-testing technology was touted as revolutionary, capable of running hundreds of medical tests with just a single drop of blood. However, the technology was flawed, and many patients received inaccurate and alarming results.
During the 2021 trial against Holmes, three individuals testified about the false medical results they received from Theranos devices. One woman was told she was having a miscarriage when she was actually pregnant. Another woman was misdiagnosed with HIV antibodies, a diagnosis that was later proven false. A third person, a man, was told his blood wasn’t clotting properly, leading him to stop taking his blood thinners.
These testimonies highlighted not only the inaccuracies of the Theranos technology but also the lack of proper medical oversight. One patient testified that when she called Theranos to question her results, she was unable to speak to a real doctor or scientist, further exacerbating her distress.
Reactions to the Documentary
The premiere of You Can See Everything at the Telluride Film Festival elicited a range of reactions from attendees. Descriptions of the film included shockingbrilliant and insane. The documentary’s unique approach, blending reality, performance, and deception, left viewers both bewildered and enthralled.
One attendee described the film as one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen while another called it a gripping, riveting, offbeat, existential, fascinating, unexpectedly hilarious & revealing film. The film’s three-hour runtime never lags, according to early reviews, but it certainly leaves a lasting impression.
The documentary’s logline reads: Thirty-four days before she’s sent to prison, notorious Silicon Valley founder Elizabeth Holmes invites a skeptical film crew to document her every move. What begins as an intimate portrait of an enigmatic felon becomes a mind-bending three-year journey into the abyss.
The Directors’ Background
Nathan Fielder known for his work on Comedy Central’s Nathan For You and HBO’s The Rehearsal brings his unique comedic and documentary style to this project. Lance Oppenheim renowned for his documentaries like Some Kind of Heaven and Spermworld adds a layer of depth and intrigue to the film.
Their collaboration on You Can See Everything is a testament to their boundary-pushing approach to filmmaking. The documentary is set to hit theaters in October and early buzz suggests it will be a standout film of the year.
The film’s teaser trailer shows Fielder engaging in a tense conversation with Holmes, questioning her motives and actions. Holmes’ responses, including I’m always being real add to the film’s enigmatic and unsettling tone.
As the release date approaches, anticipation for You Can See Everything continues to grow. The documentary promises to be a thought-provoking and revealing exploration of one of the most enigmatic figures in recent history.
