Netflix Funds Allegedly Misused by Director: Luxury Cars, Designer Clothing, Dogecoin Revealed

In 2018, Netflix made a substantial investment in the sci-fi project Conquest but never received a single episode. The project's co-creator and director, Carl Erik Rinsch, allegedly mistreated the cast and crew, and spent the funds on cryptocurrency, luxury cars, and designer clothes. Prior to Conquest, Rinsch had only directed one film, 47 Ronin, which was a critical and commercial failure. He was mentored by Ridley Scott and worked for Scott's production company on commercials. Rinsch and his wife, Gabriela Rosés Bentancor, worked on the sci-fi project on the side, which attracted the attention of various streaming platforms. Netflix secured the project by offering more money than its competitors and granting final-cut privileges to Rinsch.

The New York Times report, based on interviews with the show's cast and crew, texts and emails, and court filings related to the divorce from his wife, alleges that Rinsch's behavior became erratic shortly after signing the contract. Initially shooting in São Paulo, followed by shoots in Uruguay and Hungary, the Brazilian film union lodged a complaint against Rinsch for mistreating the crew, with reported incidents of "shouts" and "cursing." In Budapest, Rinsch is reported to have gone days without sleeping and accused his wife of attempting to assassinate him, with behavior such as throwing items at his wife and punching holes in walls preceding filming. In March 2020, Rinsch requested additional funds from Netflix despite missing production milestones, leading to the company sending $11 million dollars. Rinsch then transferred $10.5 million of that sum to his personal brokerage account, gambling unsuccessfully on the stock market but winning big investing in Dogecoin. He used the proceeds to purchase five Rolls-Royces, a Ferrari, and an abundance of designer clothing and furniture.

Rinsch initiated an arbitration battle against Netflix after the company stopped funding the project, alleging breach of contract and seeking $14 million in damages. Netflix has denied owing Rinsch any money. In response to questions from The Times, Rinsch declined to comment, expressing doubts about the article's accuracy in an Instagram post. Netflix spokesperson Thomas Cherian stated that after extensive time and effort, it became evident that Rinsch would not complete the agreed-upon project, leading to the project being written off. The case has recently entered arbitration and a decision is anticipated in the near future.

Editor's P/S

As a fan, I feel disappointed and frustrated by the director's alleged misuse of funds. It's disheartening to hear that the money invested by Netflix was not used for the intended purpose of producing the sci-fi project, Conquest. Instead, the director allegedly spent the funds on lavish personal expenses, including luxury cars, designer clothing, and cryptocurrency investments. This behavior is not only unethical but also a betrayal of the trust placed in him by Netflix and the cast and crew involved in the project.

Furthermore, the allegations of mistreating the cast and crew are deeply concerning. A director's responsibility is to ensure a safe and positive working environment for everyone involved in the production. The reported incidents of shouting, cursing, and erratic behavior by the director are unacceptable and have no place in the film industry. It's important for those in positions of power to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully towards their colleagues. The director's actions have not only jeopardized the project but also negatively impacted the lives of those who were working on it.