Home / Arts and Entertainment / Murdoch's Sun: British Media's Dark Origin
Murdoch's Sun: British Media's Dark Origin
13 Oct
Summary
- Film depicts Rupert Murdoch acquiring The Sun in 1969.
- The movie explores the paper's rise via controversial reporting tactics.
- Director Boyle links the film to today's attention and clickbait economy.
The UK premiere of Danny Boyle's "Ink" took place at the BFI London Film Festival, following its debut at the Venice Film Festival. The film chronicles Rupert Murdoch's entry into the British newspaper scene in 1969, when he acquired the struggling tabloid, The Sun. With Jack O'Connell portraying editor Larry Lamb and Guy Pearce as Murdoch, the movie illustrates how their strategy of far-right reporting and populist messaging turned the paper into a dominant media power.
O'Connell described Lamb not as a villain but as someone "overly ambitious" who perhaps broke rules in his pursuit of newspaper success. Pearce expressed a desire to meet Murdoch, noting that while Murdoch's daughter indicated he was pleased with the casting, his actual reaction to the film remains uncertain. Boyle highlighted the film's exploration of the origins of the attention economy and "clickbait culture," suggesting it laid the groundwork for today's pervasive sensationalism.
Playwright James Graham emphasized the film's "Englishness" and its roots in the 1960s, believing its themes of disruption and transformation will resonate globally, drawing parallels to modern tech culture in Silicon Valley. Graham also spoke to the unique, seductive, and sometimes ugly nature of Fleet Street, the historical center of London's newspaper industry. The BFI London Film Festival itself runs until October 18th, featuring numerous other film premieres.
