Skip to main content

Deep Dive: Totally Under Control (2021)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

Totally Under Control
Totally Under Control is a documentary that examines the Trump administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, contrasting it with South Korea's approach. Directed by Alex Gibney, Ophelia Harutyunyan, and Suzanne Hillinger, the film was conceived in April 2020 after Gibney experienced personal losses due to the virus. The documentary was made under tight deadlines, with innovative filming techniques like the 'COVID-cam' allowing subjects to record themselves remotely. The film was released on October 13, 2020, by Neon and received critical acclaim for its thorough analysis of the government's failures. It presents a timeline of events and decisions made during the pandemic, aiming to hold the administration accountable for its handling of the crisis. The documentary's reception includes a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating strong support from critics and audiences alike.

Why Watch

  • •See the U.S. response to COVID-19 compared to South Korea.
  • •Find out how personal losses drove the film's creation.
  • •Meet the innovative 'COVID-cam' filming technique.

Did You Know

•The film was released on October 13, 2020.
•It holds a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 102 reviews.
•Alex Gibney pitched the documentary idea in April 2020 after losing a friend to COVID-19.
•The 'COVID-cam' kit allowed subjects to film themselves during the pandemic.

Perfect For

COVID-19 response analysisTrump administration critiqueDocumentary filmmaking techniques