Feb. 09, 2022|United States|89 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Crime;Documentary;Drama
Description: “Downfall: The Case Against Boeing” is a documentary that examines how a once-revered company tarnished its reputation in just five months. However, filmmaker Rory Kennedy suggests this decline began years earlier, when Boeing, a pioneer in airline safety, efficiency, and reliability, acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997. This merger marked a turning point, shifting Boeing’s focus from quality control to prioritizing its stock price. The consequences of this shift became evident in October 2018 and March 2019, when two Boeing 737 Max planes crashed, resulting in the deaths of over 300 people. These tragedies were attributed to deliberate misconduct by Boeing.
When Lion Air Flight 610 plunged into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff on October 29, 2018, initial assumptions pointed away from the aircraft itself. Despite clear weather and no signs of terrorism, few suspected the brand-new Boeing 737 Max could be at fault. Instead, attention turned to the low-cost Indonesian airline and its pilot, Captain Bhavye Suneja, whose qualifications and U.S. training were overshadowed by bias and stereotypes. The documentary highlights how systemic issues within Boeing led to these catastrophic events, challenging the company’s legacy as a symbol of aviation excellence.
Cast director: Rory Kennedy
Original name: Downfall: The Case Against Boeing