A FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
Martin Gurri saw it coming
Former CIA analyst, Martin Gurri, developed a framework that explains the January 6 riot, Brexit, the Arab Spring, Climategate, antivaxers, and a highly charged 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris; all before they happened. These controversial and divisive events didn’t happen because half of society is crazy or brainwashed, but because of changes in our information structure: the Fifth Wave of information. This feature documentary will help audiences understand Gurri’s ideas of how a tsunami of digital information has ruptured the relationship between the elites and the public. Nothing less than the future of democratic institutions across the globe is at stake.
CONCEPT TRAILER
SYNOPSIS
The Fifth Wave will follow the stories of crumbling institutions grasping at an all but broken top-down information system, revolts of the public, and new elites working to construct a new relationship between elites, institutions and the public.
One such story is that of Bari Weiss - an acclaimed journalist and publisher confronting the world of corporate journalism and the radical transformation of the media landscape described by Martin Gurri's book "The Revolt of the Public." Weiss, a former editor for the New York Times, has left behind the confines of the traditional newsroom to establish 'The Free Press', a new media company built on honest and objective reporting and fierce independence. She is currently navigating the upcoming 2024 Presidential election, the turbulence of the post-truth era, and the building pressure on democracy, reshaping her own career and our society in the digital age.
FEATURED CHARACTERS
CAST MEMBER - TBD
Institution: Government / Politics
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bari WEISS
Institution: Journalism
Bari Weiss (/ˈbæri waɪs/ BARR-ee WYSS; born March 25, 1984) is an American journalist, writer, and editor. She was an op-ed and book review editor at The Wall Street Journal (2013–2017)[1] and an op-ed staff editor and writer on culture and politics at The New York Times (2017–2020).[2] Since March 1, 2021, she has worked as a regular columnist for German daily newspaper Die Welt.[3] Weiss founded the media company The Free Press (formerly Common Sense) and hosts the podcast Honestly.
CAST MEMBER - TBD
Institution: Medicine / Science
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INTERVIEWEES
Additional content, insights and perspectives will be provided by interviewees who represent the “Public” or the “Elites,” and have either thrived or failed in the shadow of the Fifth Wave. Ideally, these interviewees would be well-known media figures who can substantiate the key incidents over the last decade that support Gurri’s framework, such as Boris Johnson, Elon Musk and Wael Ghonim, a key contributor in the 2011 Egyptian revolt that caused dictator Hosni Mubarak to step down from power.
TERMINOLOGY
HOMO INFORMATICUS
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networked builder and wielder of the information sphere, poses an existential challenge to the legitimacy of every government he encounters.
FILE UNDER: THE REVOLT OF THE PEOPLE
WHAT IT’S LIKE
Navalny — Navalny is the story of one man and his struggle with an authoritarian regime. The film follows Navalny’s poisoning and his subsequent investigation into the poisoning. The Fifth Wave will also be an investigation into how our democracy has arrived at it’s current state and a challenge to think differently about politics and worldviews.
The Edge of Democracy — This Brazilian political documentary follows the filmmaker’s personal journey through the rise and fall of multiple presidents and governments. Similarly, The Fifth Wave will be a personal look at a massive tipping point in American politics.
Collective — Collective is a documentary film following investigative journalists uncovering public healthcare corruption in Romania. Our film will share the investigative angle as our lead storyteller uncovers the truths of Martin’s theories.
PROJECT GOALS & AUDIENCE
GOALS
Share the observations, analysis and theses of Martin Gurri’s life’s work.
Create smarter consumers of information.
Equip people to understand the tectonic collision between an angry public and reactionary elites that underlies every political controversy today.
AUDIENCE
Confused and dissatisfied voters who are frustrated with the polarized state of politics and the 2024 Presidential election.
Anyone who engages with or is affected by the global information sphere - which is EVERYONE.
HOW CAN I HELP?
We’re looking for executive producers and key funders to help us produce this film.
FILM MAKING TEAM
FILM TEAM
Martin Gurri, Producer
Tyler Thompson, Producer & Art Director — TCI
Jeff Ostenson, Producer & Co-Director — North Forty
Charles Atkinson, Producer, Co-Director & DP — North Forty
Skylar Wagner, Editor — North Forty
* Outreach and Distribution Producer (TBD)
ABOUT NORTH FORTY
North Forty has been producing documentaries and other commercial media since 2006. They have 10 regional Emmy nominations for their work broadcasted on cable and public television, and their films has been distributed on Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, Prime, TED, and NBC Universal Sports Network.
ABOUT TCI
TCI is a multi-disciplinary design & art studio based in the Pacific Northwest. TCI Specializes in branding & art direction.
NORTH FORTY PROJECTS
Fish War - fishwarmovie.com
Era of Megafires - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtkmJ8h4E6g
Pedal-Driven: a bike-umentary - https://shorturl.at/hkrLZ
Killing the Klamath - https://www.pbs.org/show/killing-klamath/
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE & COSTS
ESTIMATED COSTS
Total cost to complete the film: $750,000 to $850,000.
Initial marketing costs: $300,000 to $400,000.
MILESTONES
Production complete: Mid 2026
Estimated film completion date: Late 2026
Film festival premiere: Early 2027
Major streaming service: Late 2027
This schedule is subject to change based on funding.
DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
Film Festivals
Educational Distribution and Grass Roots
Screenings
Major Streaming Service
International Sales