Movies: Lie to Me (2024) by Bår Tyrmi: The Psychology of the Scam

The Seductive Allure of a Digital Lie Lie to Me is a Norwegian documentary thriller directed by Bår Tyrmi. The film delves into the massive cryptocurrency fraud known as OneCoin, often dubbed the "Bitcoin killer." The story follows Bjørn Bjercke, a blockchain expert who uncovers that the so-called cryptocurrency is nothing more than a global pyramid scheme. The film explores not only the technical aspects of the fraud but also the psychological reasons why millions of people, even after the scam was exposed, continue to believe in it. It's an investigation into greed, manipulation, and the human desire for a fairytale of easy money.

Why to watch this movie (Why to recommend this movie): A Timely Warning

• A Relevant and Urgent Topic: The documentary tackles one of the biggest financial frauds in history, but its true power lies in its relevance to current trends in cryptocurrency and online scams. It serves as a cautionary tale for a digital age where the line between real value and empty promises is increasingly blurred.

• The Hero's Journey: The film presents the compelling story of Bjørn Bjercke, a tech hero who, despite threats to his life, works relentlessly to expose the truth. His journey provides a fascinating look into what motivates someone to stand up against a global fraudulent operation.

• Psychological Thriller: More than a simple exposé, the film acts as a psychological thriller, exploring the mindset of both the perpetrators and the victims. It uses interviews and archival footage to reveal the cult-like behavior that surrounded OneCoin and the human vulnerabilities that made it all possible.

Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/lie-to-me-2024 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/lie-to-me (UK)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31656529/

Link Review: https://businessdoceurope.com/idfa-best-of-fests-review-lie-to-me-by-bar-tyrmi/

About movie: https://hacienda.no/portfolio/lie-to-me/

What is the Trend followed? The Digital True Crime Documentary

• This film is a prime example of the digital true crime documentary trend, a subgenre that investigates high-tech frauds and online scams. These films often combine investigative journalism with elements of psychological and social commentary.

• It joins a growing body of work that seeks to demystify complex financial and technological crimes for a mainstream audience.

• The film’s focus on the human side of the scam—the victims, the believers, and the whistleblowers—is a hallmark of this trend, making the abstract world of cryptocurrency feel personal and emotionally resonant.

Director's Vision: Unmasking a Global Deception

• Bår Tyrmi's vision is to go beyond the technical details of the OneCoin fraud to reveal the human cost of the scam. He wants to answer the question: "How and why people keep getting scammed?"

• He uses a "docu-thriller" style, building suspense and a sense of dread as the full scope of the deception is revealed.

• The director incorporates "neat little retro 'mini-films'" and a rich trove of archival material to create a compelling and informative narrative that is both entertaining and educational.

Themes: Deception, Manipulation, and the Desire for Belonging

• The Power of Manipulation: The central theme is how a charismatic leader (Ruja Ignatova) and a manipulative system can exploit human psychology, using a sense of community and the promise of wealth to lure in victims.

• The Duality of Human Nature: The film explores why some people, like Bjørn Bjercke, fight against fraud, while others, even when presented with the truth, choose to believe the lie.

• The Cult of Wealth: The film portrays OneCoin as more than a financial scam—it was a cult. It explores how the scam's leaders used cult-like tactics to create a "family" and a sense of belonging for their members, making it even harder for them to leave.

Key success factors: Timely Subject and Festival Acclaim

• Urgent Relevance: The film's topic is incredibly timely, as cryptocurrency scams continue to make headlines. This relevance makes the film's message all the more powerful and its audience all the more invested.

• Festival Recognition: The film had its international premiere at CPH:DOX, one of the most prestigious documentary film festivals in the world, and was selected for multiple other festivals, including the Nordic/Docs Film Festival and IDFA "Best of Fests." This festival run has generated significant critical buzz and exposure.

• A Compelling Protagonist: The documentary is anchored by the story of Bjørn Bjercke, whose personal crusade against OneCoin provides a clear narrative arc and a hero for the audience to root for.

Awards and Nominations: A Strong Documentary Debut Lie to Me has been selected for numerous festivals, including CPH:DOX, HUMAN International Documentary Festival, and the Golden Nymph Awards. This early festival success positions it as a major documentary to watch.

Critics Reception: Intense, Frustrating, and Illuminating

• Nordic Watchlist: A review from Nordic Watchlist calls the documentary "an intense and frustrating watch," but praises it for its ability to take "its time to explain complicated technology talking points so that you're never left feeling lost in all the jargon." The review also notes the film’s powerful portrayal of the scam as a "cult."

• IDFA: The official IDFA archive describes the film as a "fascinating and thrilling reconstruction" of the OneCoin scam, highlighting its exploration of human nature and our powerful craving for more.

• Overall Summary: The critical reception has been very positive, with reviewers praising the film's clear and compelling narrative, its ability to make a complex topic accessible, and its powerful psychological and social commentary. It is being heralded as an important and illuminating exposé.

Reviews: Positive Audience Buzz

• Plex and Other Platforms: While formal reviews from a wide audience are not yet available, user feedback on various film platforms points to a generally positive reception. The film is resonating with viewers who are interested in the topic of online scams and the psychology of human deception.

• Online Forums: Discussions on forums and social media platforms indicate that the film is sparking conversation and debate about the ongoing nature of such scams and the vulnerabilities that people have to them.

• Overall Summary: The overall sentiment from early viewers is that the film is a thought-provoking and well-executed documentary that is both entertaining and educational.

Release date on streaming: Awaiting Announcement There is no confirmed streaming release date for Lie to Me on a major service. The film is currently on the international festival circuit.

Theatrical Release: A Festival Premiere The film had its international premiere at the CPH:DOX documentary film festival in March 2024. It has since been selected for various other festivals around the world. A traditional theatrical release is not confirmed, as documentary distribution often prioritizes festival runs and streaming deals.

What Movie Trend film is following: The 'Exposé' Documentary The film is following the trend of the exposé documentary, which aims to reveal the truth behind a major event or figure. This genre often combines elements of true crime and investigative journalism to tell a compelling story, as seen in films like Fyre and The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley.

What Big Social Trend is following: The Cryptocurrency Hype Cycle The film directly addresses the social trend of the cryptocurrency hype cycle, where a speculative market and promises of easy wealth lead to mass adoption, often before the underlying technology is proven. The film acts as a sobering look at the darker side of this trend, exploring how it can be exploited by fraudsters.

Final Verdict: An Essential Watch for the Digital Age Lie to Me is more than just a documentary about a financial crime; it is an essential film for understanding the psychology of deception in a digital world. Bår Tyrmi has crafted a compelling and at times frustrating film that serves as a powerful cautionary tale about greed and human vulnerability. The film's blend of true crime and psychological thriller elements makes it an engaging and important watch. It is a film that will leave you thinking about what you choose to believe, and why.