FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened is an original Netflix documentary directed by Chris Smith. It is one of three films that documents the Fyre Festival, a musical event on a beach island developed by self-proclaimed entrepreneur Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule.
The film documents how Ja Rule and Billy McFarland had an idea for an app where they could help bookers and talent come together to plan events. To go along with it, the unusual duo use models and so-called social media influencers to promote a musical event in the Bahamas. The festival was billed as featuring a plethora of musical acts, yoga training, high-end food, and so much more. After milking tons of money from the gullible, guests arrive to find the subsequent Fyre Festival is not what it was promised.
The movie uses footage from planners, attendees, and bystanders to show the disaster that the Fyre Festival became. This behind-the-scenes knowledge shows how much insanity was involved in the planning and execution. What is more telling is the interviews. As Ja Rule and McFarland force their employees and business partners to promote this thing, deal with the Bahama government, and even outright lie about what was going on, you have to wonder what this says about McFarland. Is he a charismatic guy or a mastermind? He deceived so many people and yet his subordinates went right along with him.
As for the aesthetics, the film is really well made. The music, the interviews, and the b-roll are impressive. It avoids politics and instead focuses on the event itself to expose just how disastrous Fyre Festival truly was to all involved.
PARENTAL CONCERNS: Foul language
Check out the trailer below:
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