Get ready to immerse yourself in the wildest festival on earth – Burning Man is about to take centre stage in a four-part HBO docuseries that's as captivating as it is thought-provoking. 'The Man Will Burn', premiering this month, takes viewers on an electrifying journey through the highs and lows of this iconic event, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a globally renowned spectacle.
Burning Man has come a long way since 1986, when a group of San Francisco artists set ablaze an oversized wooden figure on a beach. Fast forward 40 years, and the festival has evolved into a behemoth of art, music, and self-expression, drawing in tens of thousands of attendees each summer. It's a pilgrimage for those seeking transformation, spiritual growth, and a dash of rebellion – and it's not just artists and bohemians who flock to this Nevada desert wonderland; you'll find A-listers rubbing shoulders with the crowd.
Co-directed by Jehane Noujaim and Vikram Gandhi, 'The Man Will Burn' was sparked by a serendipitous discovery. While clearing footage for her Cambridge Analytica documentary, 'The Great Hack', Noujaim stumbled upon an incredible archive of private film footage compiled by Burning Man since its inception – the perfect starting point for this epic narrative.
The series meticulously chronicles the full arc of Burning Man's social experiment, laying bare the challenges it's faced: COVID-19, internal power struggles, and the devastating impact of global warming. At its heart is a love story between founder Larry Harvey, a visionary protest artist who dreamed up this future festival, and his long-time partner Marian Goodell – now CEO after Harvey's passing in 2018.
Viewers will be on the edge of their seats as they witness Goodell's agonising decision to cancel the festival during the pandemic, alongside the internecine battles between board members, including a faction led by Kimbal Musk. The series also delves into the experiences of individual festivalgoers – weighing up the risks of attending renegade gatherings or adapting to virtual alternatives – providing a comprehensive look at the multifaceted pressures and enduring allure of Burning Man. In the UK, don't miss 'The Man Will Burn' on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV.