Decidedly, Carlos Ghosn does not stop talking about him. After Netflix, it is around Apple TV to devote a documentary, but this time in the form of a series called "In search of Carlos Ghosn". Launched this Friday, August 25, it is based on an investigation by the Wall Street Journal. In the style of an American thriller, it is the story of a success story that ends in an incredible flight from Japan, but this time with a reversal of situation. On the program: the betrayal of the CEO of Renault-Nissan by the one who organized the famous "story of the trunk"!
It will soon be four years since the businessman of Lebanese origin fled the land of the rising sun in a trunk of musical instruments. Since then, he has continued interviews in the media – we particularly remember his interview with Léa Salamé in which he did not want to confirm having traveled in this luggage – claiming his innocence in his cases of abuse of social goods. Today, the mystery is shattered and documentaries are having a blast revealing every minute of his escape.
"In search of Carlos Ghosn" is no exception to this rule. Divided into four episodes of about 45 minutes each, this production first traces the story of the successful executive, born in Porto Vehlo in Brazil, his professional successes, first at Michelin, then at Renault, where he formed an alliance with the Japanese firm Nissan. Then comes the time of judicial affairs, of prison in this Japanese prison system so decried. Meticulous, the series can not help but add cliffhangers and other ways to install a suspense, which ultimately does not really exist.
Grey area
Oscillating between a sympathetic description and a portrait for the prosecution, director James Jones delights in the gray area and gives free rein to his viewer's reflections on the question he asks from the outset: "Is Carlos Ghosn a victim or a villain?" Greedy man or target of a conspiracy? The documentary remains focused on the facts, such as the international arrest warrant against him or the opening of a judicial investigation for "misuse of company assets".
Good first approach for those who have not heard of the Carlos Ghosn case, this creation does not bring anything to the one who has watched other documentaries on the interested party, especially since some interlocutors of the documentary produced by Netflix, like Louis Schweitzer or Ravinder Passi, former general counsel of Nissan, reappear. The only real novelty: the reversal of Michael Taylor's jacket, which orchestrated the escape of the businessman. The latter was sentenced to 24 months in prison in Japan, and is seeking compensation from the one he carried in a musical instrument box.
Editor's note:
3.5/5
"In Search of Carlos Ghosn", Documentary series by James Jones, produced by Apple TV. Available August 25.