About FYRE FRAUD

FYRE FRAUD is a 2019 American documentary film, directed and produced by Jenner Furst and Julia Willoughby Nason. The movie provides an in-depth look into the fraudulent actions and events surrounding the failed music festival, Fyre Festival, conceptualized by Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule.

The film extensively features interviews with McFarland himself, festival attendees, former employees and others involved in the fiasco, as they narrate the series of missteps that ultimately resulted in one of the most infamous failures in the history of music festivals.

Making / Production

FYRE FRAUD was produced by The Cinemart, Hulu, Billboard and Mic. The film was released by Hulu, surprising audiences with its delivery just days before Netflix’s documentary on the same subject. The filmmakers had unique access to McFarland, offering an exclusive perspective into the flamboyant entrepreneur's mindset and actions.

Actors

• Billy McFarland - As himself, McFarland plays a pivotal role in the film detailing his own perspective of the events as the co-founder of the calamitous Fyre Festival.
• Ja Rule - The famous rapper and co-founder of Fyre Festival is also featured in the documentary, showcasing his roles and responsibilities in the venture.
• Various Participants - Multiple former employees, attendees and reporters feature heavily in the documentary, giving viewers an intimate look into the behind-the-scenes chaos of the ill-fated festival.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was surprisingly released four days before Netflix's own documentary on the same subject, Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened.
• FYRE FRAUD features an exclusive interview with Billy McFarland, something the Netflix documentary did not have.
• The documentary has sparked debates about ethics in filmmaking due to the directors reportedly paying McFarland for his participation in the film.

Awards

FYRE FRAUD, despite the attention it generated, did not receive any notable awards.

Quotes

• “We’re selling a pipe dream to your average loser.” - Billy McFarland.
• “The thing that Fyre Festival did that was brilliant.. is that it sold the kind of access that people want today” - Jia Tolentino.

Music, Soundtrack

Though FYRE FRAUD is a documentary and does not contain a traditional musical soundtrack, the film's audio landscape was precisely designed to compliment the story's escalating tension. The sound design and background score play a critical role in creating the dramatic atmosphere of the film.