Assholes: A Theory
Some people grapple with the moral challenges of treating human beings decently. Others are just… assholes. Inspired by Aaron James’ New York Times bestseller of the same name, this documentary investigates the breeding grounds of contemporary ‘asshole culture’ — and locates signs of civility in an otherwise rude and nasty universe. Venturing into predominantly male domain, this film moves from Ivy League frat clubs to the bratty princedoms of Silicon Valley and the bear pits of international finance. Why do assholes thrive in certain environments? What explains their perverse appeal? And how do they keep getting elected?
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Cast
22 people
John Cleese
Himself
Known for
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Life of Brian
Vladimir Luxuria
Herself
Also in
Guardami
Mater natura
John Walker
Aaron James
Aaron James
Ann Bernier
Geoffrey Nunberg
Himself
Also in
Slang Hunters
Annette Clarke
Suji Gelerman
Suji Gelerman
Mary Sarnataro
Herself
Also in
Le Iene
Robert Sandler
Robert I. Sutton
Robert I. Sutton
Edoardo Albinati
Himself
Also in
La lunga ombra
John Walker Director · Robert Sandler Writer Jeff Warren Editor
United States release March 20, 2020 · Produced in Canada · Production ONF | NFB, Documentary Channel
Production
John Walker Productions
Production
ONF | NFB
Production
Documentary Channel
Production
Canada Media Fund | Fonds des médias du Canada
Production
Canada
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
English
Release dates
Denmark · March 24, 2019
Premiere · CPH:DOX International Documentary Film Festival
Canada · November 13, 2019
Limited theatrical
United States · March 20, 2020
Premiere · San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
United States
April 4, 2020 · Premiere · Cleveland International Film Festival
Canada
April 30, 2019 · Premiere · Hot Docs
September 13, 2019 · Premiere · FIN Atlantic International Film Festival
September 17, 2019 · Premiere · Cinéfest Sudbury
September 21, 2019 · Premiere · Lunenburg Doc Fest
September 28, 2019 · Premiere · Calgary International Film Festival
October 2, 2019 · Premiere · Vancouver International Film Festival
October 26, 2019 · Premiere · Parrsboro Film Festival
April 18, 2020 · TV · Documentary Channel
Estonia
November 16, 2019 · Premiere · Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
New Zealand
May 30, 2019 · Premiere · Doc Edge
Slovenia
May 14, 2020 · Premiere · Ljubljana Doc Festival
Spain
March 25, 2020 · TV · Odisea
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Some details come from TheTVDB.