Influence (film)

Influence is a 2020 Canadian/South African documentary film written and directed by Diana Neille and Richard Poplak.[1] The film follows Lord Tim Bell and his Bell Pottinger associates, known for their controversial geopolitical spin-doctoring.

For 2018 Carl Weber novel and 2020 film adaptation, see Carl Weber (American author).
Influence
Directed byDiana Neille + Richard Poplak
Written byDiana Neille + Richard Poplak
CinematographyGlauco Bermudez
Release date
  • 27 January 2020 (2020-01-27)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryCanada/South Africa
LanguageEnglish

It had its world premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2020. It was also entered in the Moscow International Film Festival and the Amplify Film Festival in the United Kingdom. It is in English and Spanish with English subtitles. It runs for 90 minutes. The production companies are StoryScope and EyeSteelFilm.

Synopsis

This film focuses on Lord Tim Bell and his associates, known for their controversial geopolitical spin-doctoring. Bell, who started his career in advertising, had an affinity for difficult briefs and “people with problems,” as he liked to call them. He designed campaigns for unpopular politicians, dictators, disgraced companies, and celebrities the same way he put together product branding—by being concise and brutal. In 1987 he co-founded Bell Pottinger, which quickly became one of the most influential reputation management companies in the world—until one of those campaigns incited racial division in South Africa and ruined Bell Pottinger's reputation to a degree beyond spinning. Its cause of death was shrewdly described by the New York Times as “acute embarrassment.”

Political figures depicted in the film include Margaret Thatcher, Nelson Mandela, Jacob Zuma, Timothy Bell, F.W. de Klerk and Ron Leagas.

Critical reception

Influence has a 78% rating on online review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.[2]

Reviewers have described Influence as a hugely detailed, unnerving expose.[3] It is also considered hard to follow.[4] Critics generally liked it.[5][6]

Glauco Bermudez and Mark Ó Fearghaíl were nominated for Best Cinematography in a Documentary at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021.[7]

References
  1. "Influence". www.sundance.org. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  2. "Influence (2020)", Rotten Tomatoes, Fandango, retrieved 2021-10-30
  3. "Influence: The story of the most wicked man in the world". Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  4. "'Influence': Film Review | Sundance 2020". The Hollywood Reporter. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  5. Lodge, Guy (2020-02-02). "'Influence': Film Review". Variety. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  6. "Influence at the Sheffield Documentary Festival".
  7. "Canadian Screen Awards Announces 2021 Film Nominations". ET Canada. March 30, 2021.
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