The Bibi Files

Produced by Alex Gibney, Alexis Bloom’s Oscar-shortlisted follow-up to Catching Fire: The Anita Pallenberg Story (2023) recounts the career of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ‘Bibi’ Netanyahu. Always a controversial figure, Netanyahu has been under indictment since 2019 on charges of corruption, and, not unlike certain other world leaders, is believed by some to see holding on to political power, particularly during an ongoing conflict, as his best means of avoiding accountability for his alleged criminal behaviour. Bloom’s film traces his rise to power and his intermittent stints as Israel’s leader while interviews with associates depict Bibi and his wife Sara as being happy to receive ‘gifts’ from those who might seek influence. Leaked footage of the Prime Minister’s interrogation by police offers fascinating insight into the character of a man whose addiction to power has come at such great cost to others.