Get ready to step back in time with HBO’s latest documentary, “Time Bomb Y2K,” directed by Brian Becker and Marley McDonald. This eye-opening film, executive produced by acclaimed filmmaker Penny Lane (known for HBO’s “Listening to Kenny G”), is set to debut on Saturday, December 30, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will also be available for streaming on HBO Max.
“Time Bomb Y2K” takes a deep dive into the infamous Y2K bug – a seemingly simple yet incredibly complex computer glitch that threatened to throw the world into disarray as the year 2000 approached. The documentary, crafted entirely from archival footage, presents a prescient and often humorous narrative about the intricacies and vulnerabilities of technology.
As the 20th century drew to a close, the world braced for a potential technological disaster: computers potentially misinterpreting the year 2000 as 1900, leading to a cascade of failures in electronic systems worldwide. The documentary revisits this period of cooperative efforts and mass hysteria, offering a critical look at how the digital revolution has transformed modern life.
Featuring rare archival materials, including home videos and exclusive outtakes, “Time Bomb Y2K” brings together first-hand accounts from computer experts, survivalists, scholars, militia groups, conservative Christians, and pop culture icons. It highlights President Clinton’s response, including the appointment of a “Y2K Czar” and the investment of billions of dollars to address the bug, juxtaposed with the public’s panic-driven reactions.
With Y2K now a distant memory, “Time Bomb Y2K” raises important questions about our current dependence on digital infrastructure and the vulnerabilities inherent in such complex systems. The documentary serves as a prophetic reminder of the ever-present potential for technological failures and their catastrophic consequences.
Drawing aesthetic inspiration from the 90s’ techno-thrillers and disaster movies, and featuring an electronic music score by Nathan Micay and stylized graphics by Grin Machine, the film offers an immersive journey through this pivotal period. It features key figures like Peter de Jager (the “Millennium Bug Man”), John Koskinen (the “Y2K Czar”), tech giants Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates, plus pop culture figures such as Busta Rhymes and Matt Damon.
Presented by HBO Documentary Films in association with Spinning Nancy, “Time Bomb Y2K” is a production not to be missed. Alongside directors Brian Becker and Marley McDonald, the film is produced by Brian Becker, with executive production by Penny Lane and Gabriel Sedgwick. HBO’s Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Tina Nguyen serve as executive producers.
Don’t miss this captivating exploration of one of the most significant moments at the turn of the millennium.
