The Crime of the Century (HBO)

About The Crime of the Century

"The Crime of the Century" is a two-part HBO documentary series released in 2021. The series delves into the depths of the opioid crisis, unraveling the profound negligence, greed, and corruption that has fueled it. Directed by Emmy and Academy Award winner Alex Gibney, the series is a gritty and shocking exposé of the players who contributed to the horrifying widespread addiction in America.

Making / Production

Alex Gibney directed "The Crime of the Century" in association with HBO Documentary Films and The Washington Post. His critical and discerning examination of the crisis is informed by the work of a team of journalists, whistleblowers, and others who manage to bring the truth out from the shadows.

Actors

• Alec Burlakoff - Alec, the former vice president of sales at Insys Therapeutics, plays himself in the documentary and sheds light on the unethical marketing and selling practices at the pharmaceutical company.
• Andrew Kolodny - As himself, Andrew, a medical expert and vocal critic of the opioid crisis, gives an overview of the harmful impact and destructive potential of opioid misprescribing.
• Anna Lembke - Anna provides crucial insights into the opioid crisis as a medical professional who has seen the fallout firsthand.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series includes exclusive never-seen-before company videos that reveal how corporate marketing tactics contributed to the current crisis.
• Director Alex Gibney is known for his hard-hitting documentary work, with previous subjects including the Church of Scientology, Enron, and WikiLeaks.
• Titled "The Crime of the Century", the series echoes a phrase often used to describe significant and shocking events in history.

Awards

As of now, "The Crime of the Century" has not won any awards.

Quotes

• "Opioids are a mass killer...we're comfortable calling it a war." - Clip from the documentary
• "The real criminals are the people we've learnt to trust." - Clip from the documentary

Music, Soundtrack

• The soundtrack of "The Crime of the Century" sets a grim and somber tone, underscoring the severity of the crisis it portrays.
• Renowned film composer Peter Nashel is credited for the documentary's effective musical score.