Dr. Anthony Fauci is the subject of a new documentary set to premiere on Disney+.
The film, titled "Fauci," documents the infectious disease expert’s time navigating America through the COVID-19 pandemic. He became a divisive figure — beloved by some and sharply criticized by others.
“When COVID hit, he became this target,” according to the trailer’s voiceover.
The 80-year-old Brooklyn native is the longest-serving public health official, having worked under seven presidential administrations. He has overseen the government’s response to outbreaks of HIV/AIDS, SARS, Zika, and Ebola over the last 40 years.
According to an announcement from Disney: “‘Fauci’ delivers a rare glimpse into the long-standing professional career and personal life of the ultimate public servant, who after a lifetime of service faced his biggest test: a pandemic whose ferocity is unmatched in modern history. With his signature blend of scientific acumen, candor and integrity, Dr. Anthony Fauci became a cultural icon during the COVID-19 pandemic. But that has come at a cost as he has also faced attacks from adversaries in a nation increasingly divided by political party lines — with science increasingly caught in the crosshairs.”
The film was directed by Emmy winners John Hoffman and Janet Tobias for National Geographic Documentary Films.
“There is only one Dr. Tony Fauci, and it’s an incredible privilege to be the first to tell the story of his life and career, including his never-ending quest to cure disease and prevent outbreaks,” Hoffman and Tobias said in the film’s announcement.
In addition to Fauci’s family, friends, and former patients, the film includes appearances from former President George W. Bush, Bill Gates, Bono, former national security advisor Susan Rice, National Institutes of Health director Dr. Francis Collins, former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Tom Frieden, journalists Laurie Garrett and Apoorva Mandavilli.
The film premiered in a limited number of theaters on Sept. 10 in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, D.C., and New Orleans.
Fauci is currently the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He has been a media staple since March of 2020 when widespread lockdowns and mask requirements became the new normal. According to the NIAID website, Fauci has made over 500 media appearances since the start of the pandemic.
Most recently, he told CBS’s "Face the Nation" that it was "too soon to tell" if Americans can gather to celebrate Christmas — catching the ire of many commentators and politicians.
Fauci said in his interview that the number of COVID-19 cases needs to decline and that more people need to get vaccinated.