HBO will debut a new four-part original documentary series titled The Man Will Burn on Thursday, July 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Jehane Noujaim and Vikram Gandhi, the series chronicles the 40-year history and internal culture of the annual desert event. Subsequent episodes of the production, which is produced by Muriel Soenens, will stream on HBO Max and air weekly on Thursdays at the same time.
The series explores the evolution of Burning Man from its counterculture origins in San Francisco in 1986 to a global event attracting 80,000 attendees to the Nevada desert. Utilizing years of video archives and direct access to Burning Man Project leadership, the episodes follow the organization through multiple years of internal and operational disruptions. The narrative centers on the staff, volunteers, and artists who build the temporary city, construct temples, and manage large-scale art installations.
The documentary highlights how Burning Man Project CEO Marian Goodell and other organizational leaders navigated complex challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a renegade gathering, and severe rains. It also examines cultural shifts within the community, including the rise of social media influencers and a large influx of funding from the technology sector. According to the production synopsis, these new financial and cultural elements have increasingly conflicted with the original community values established by the event’s founders.
The premiere episode, titled “The Great Unknown,” documents the growth of the event from its initial anti-establishment roots under founder Larry Harvey to a multi-million-dollar gathering backed by billionaire tech donors. The second episode, “Welcome To The Shit Show,” covers the consecutive cancellation of the official event and the subsequent unsanctioned gathering organized by attendees. The final two episodes, “Waking Dreams” and “Mud Burn,” cover the official event’s return, the creative friction felt by participating artists, and the extreme weather conditions that prompted government safety interventions.
A variety of organizers, artists, and notable attendees are featured throughout the documentary series. On-screen participants include Burning Man Project CEO Marian Goodell, board members Kimbal Musk and Farhad Mohit, and event co-founders Harley DuBois, John Law, and Crimson Rose. The series also features commentary from camp founders, staff members, and prominent attendees such as Sergey Brin, Justin Kan, and Grover Norquist.
The documentary is presented by HBO Documentary Films in association with Double Agent, Noujaim Films, and The Othrs. Executive producers for the project include Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Sara Rodriguez for HBO, alongside Nina Fialkow, David Fialkow, Karim Amer, and Geralyn Dreyfous.
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