Zero Days (2016)

A documentary focused on Stuxnet, a piece of self-replicating computer malware that the U.S. and Israel unleashed to destroy a key part of an Iranian nuclear facility, and which ultimately spread beyond its intended target.

Director:

Alex Gibney

Writer:

Alex Gibney

Stars:

David Sanger, Emad Kiyaei, Eric Chien

8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sergey Ulasen	...	Himself
Eric Chien	...	Himself
Eugene Kaspersky	...	Himself
Vitaly Kamluk	...	Himself
Ralph Langner	...	Himself
Liam O'Murchu	...	Himself
David Sanger	...	Himself
Gary Samore	...	Himself
Rolf Mowatt-Larssen	...	Himself
Olli Heinonen	...	Himself
Emad Kiyaei	...	Himself
Richard Clarke	...	Himself (as Richard A. Clarke)
Michael Hayden	...	Himself (as General Michael Hayden)
Yossi Melman	...	Himself
Amos Yadlin	...	Himself (as Major General Amos Yadin)

Storyline

Documentary detailing claims of American/Israeli jointly developed malware Stuxnet being deployed not only to destroy Iranian enrichment centrifuges but also threaten attacks against Iranian civilian infrastructure. Adresses obvious potential blowback of this possibly being deployed against the US by Iran in retaliation.

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Plot Keywords:

iran | cyber attack | computer worm | hacking | stuxnet | 

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Taglines:

Welcome to the next global war.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

PG-13 for some strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Persian German French Hebrew Arabic Russian

Release Date:

8 July 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Zero Days

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$49,110, 10 July 2016

Gross USA:

$109,649

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$109,649

Company Credits

Production Co:

Global Produce, Jigsaw Productions, Participant

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Michael Hayden: Look, for longest time, I was in fear that I couldn't say the phrase Computer Network Attack. This stuff is hideously over classified and it gets into the way of a mature public discussion as to what it is we as a democracy want our nation to be doing up here in the cyber domain. Now, this is the former director of NSA and CIA saying this stuff is over classified. One of the reasons it's highly classified as it is: this is a peculiar weapon system. This is the weapon system that's come out of ...

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

User Reviews

Well-Done, Disturbing Documentary

Zero Days is an important documentary devoted much needed attention to the issue of cyberwarfare, focusing on a case study of the Stuxnet attack. It provides a behind the scenes take on the discovery and the development of the virus, as well as the political developments that caused it to spiral out of control.

Alex Gibney does a good job of explaining the technical aspects of the computer virus, as well as the political context that spurred the United States and Israel to develop the computer virus. He assembles a good cast of interviewees from various perspectives on the issue. Although Gibney has a definite viewpoint, he gives both sides of the question a hearing.

Although I had previously watched news coverage dealing with Stuxnet, this documentary goes far more in depth, making good use of inside sources within the NSA. In particular, Gibney examines the split that emerged between the United States and Israel over the use of the virus, ultimately culminating in a near disaster. The film provides a disturbing warning of how the American and Israeli governments have potentially opened a Pandora's box.

This film is important viewing that should be seen by everyone interested in current events or concerned over the implications of American foreign policy.