Celebrated UK screenwriter Jesse Armstrong, fresh off the acclaimed HBO series Succession, premieres his directorial debut, the feature film Mountainhead.
This satirical film follows four tech billionaires during a weekend mountain retreat, their lives and companies facing scrutiny amidst global social unrest.
At the Hay Festival, Armstrong addressed the recurring theme of wealthy individuals in his work: “People ask, ‘Why these rich people again?’ It’s a fair question. But my interest lies in power, not just wealth. Succession explored power dynamics and the world’s current state.”
HBO’s Mountainhead, starring Steve Carrell and Ramy Youssef, was a rapid production. “We pitched in December, wrote in January, revised through pre-production, shot in 22 days, and finished editing a week ago—it airs this weekend!” Armstrong explained.
The film’s swift creation aimed to capture the rapid pace of technological advancements and societal anxieties. “The anxieties surrounding technology, especially AI, are immediate and fast-moving. I wanted to write and present it with that same urgency,” he stated. His first foray into directing also fueled this rapid approach: “It felt less daunting to just dive in quickly.”
Armstrong cited podcasts as inspiration, mentioning his book review of Sam Bankman-Fried and subsequent research into the tech world: “I listened to podcasts featuring tech leaders—from Elon Musk to less prominent figures—it’s a whole ecosystem. I became fascinated by their language, which unlocked the narrative. And given AI companies utilize our data, I decided to ‘scrape’ back using their own podcasts!”
While acknowledging his duty to engage viewers, Armstrong described the film as cathartic, expressing his feelings about the tech world and its predominantly male figures. Despite his dark humor, he identifies as a “comedy writer,” emphasizing the importance of a compelling narrative to keep audiences engaged beyond the jokes.
Although many writers direct their own series, Armstrong chose not to on Succession (winner of 14 Primetime Emmys): “The directors were so skilled; it would have been presumptuous to interfere.” His humble demeanor contrasts with his success; he describes himself as “a bit more fearful, a bit more amenable,” prioritizing collaboration and a positive work environment.
Mountainhead is released on HBO and Max on 31 May