Review of Icarus (2017) by Dom S — 16 Aug 2017

A good documentary...or very well made propoganda. Let me finish. Is it a coincidence, that an amateur cyclist happens to be given the name of a russian scientist, by an American who decides last minute not to help? That the russian agrees not only to help, but for some inexplicabl reason, becomes like the guys new best friend - "oh, the eccentric russian!" - and how is that this amateur cyclist happens to have got the time and personal interviews with Dick Pound and every other high up official near the start of the documentary. When the case against Rodkenchov is bought, he recieves a court summons "because someone must know about all of this and has found out i'm here in the US" - again, coincidentally, after the german documentary already made he allegations. They sit and discuss with the lawyer 'fly on the wall' style - why on earth would Fogel be involved at this point? And they have to make the point on camera that "it's in your interest to co-operate and give the whole story'. Of course it is.

Is it not more likely that the whole documentary is a clever way to present the whole scandal to the global audience, and get it number 1 on the netflix charts. With stunning allegations against the russian administration, all watchable and well produced, not by the US government, but, an unknown, amatuer cycling enthusiast. Who - by the way - we are lead to believe had the highly dubious moral basis for doping to try and win a notable race - for what reason? It was shown that the race organisers didn't even test anyone -so what was the point of the documentary at that point? To prove dopping works? We know that.

The second half of this documentary - after it introduces the ridiculous 1984 esque vibe - which is clearly made to paint that picture of Russia - it get's all tense and dramtic, with trent reznor style soundtrack - its produced to a professionally high standard -with graphics, news footage, interviews, computer simulated bloody montages. It's all made to highlight the scandal against russia.

I just can't believe that the whole thing wasn't planned around the fact that they had access to this guy. I can imagine - how do we make the most of this? We need to get the story out to the masses. He would have agreed to this too - anything to get off with a lighter sentence and a life in the US.

Oh, and let's paint Gregory as a hero, he risked his life etc... bullcrap - he is guilty of being the mastermind.

Food for thought...