TALOS FILMS’ principals are Julian P. Hobbs and Elli Hakami. Together they have a track record of directing and producing critically acclaimed, break-out documentaries. Their most recent project is Sons of Ecstasy, streaming on MAX. At the epicenter of the 1990s ecstasy drug trade in Arizona sits an unusual rivalry – English stockbroker Shaun Attwood faces off against Gerard Gravano, the son of notorious New York mobster and hitman Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano. For the first time, the Gravanos tell their side of the story. Through riveting first-hand accounts from inside both factions, the film unravels the unexpected showdown between the British business guru and the Mafia heir apparent in the Arizona desert. Guns, gangsters, and underground raves set the stage in a deadly battle for control of an Ecstasy Empire. READ MORE>
Previously, Hakami and Hobbs directed and produced the break-out hit House of Hammer for Warner Bros. Discovery, which was nominated for a Critic’s Choice Award; the Chicago Sun Times commented: “Directors Elli Hakami and Julian P. Hobbs are to be commended for handling this deeply troubling material in journalistically solid and sensitive fashion.” The film spun off into the 2024 documentary series Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders, premiering on MAX and Investigation Discovery, and trending on MAX’s top ten for six consecutive weeks. IndieWire stated: “(Deadly Influence) uses the visual and aural language of social media itself as a filmmaking tool to find new ways of approaching the true crime genre.”
Talos Films’ mini-series 2023 How to Create a Sex Scandal premiered with the launch of MAX. A co-production with Texas Monthly which Hobbs directed and Hakami developed and executive produced. The documentary reveals a mischarge of justice in a small East Texas town, fermented by implanted memories, a corrupt justice system, a complicit community, and a most unlikely perpetrator. The Daily Beast noted: “a jaw-dropping account of insane accusations, rigged prosecutions, and unjust outcomes—not to mention immoral child abuse, albeit not the kind that’s initially alleged.” The Decider observed: “How to Create a Sex Scandal turns the tables of what a true crime documentary is…”
Additionally, Talos Films launched the breakout hit mini-series Queen of Meth (Discovery+) and Teen Torture Inc. (MAX). For HBO, Hobbs and Hakami, Executive Produced, Torn Apart: Separated at The Border, a feature documentary directed by Academy Award-winner Ellen Goosenberg Kent. Other projects include: Rebuilding Hope: The Children of 9/11 (Magnolia/Discovery+), the feature documentary Red Elvis: The Cold War Cowboy (SKY/ Curiosity Stream), and the award-winning, critically acclaimed mini-series America’s War On Drugs (History Channel).
Bio • Julian P. Hobbs
Prior to Talos, Hobbs served as the Vice President of Scripted and Unscripted Programming at History Channel. During his tenure, he produced multiple feature documentaries including Werner Herzog’s Cave of Forgotten Dreams, the Oscar-nominated film Encounters at the End of the World, Errol Morris’ Emmy-nominated film The Unknown Known, and Barbara Kopple’s Emmy-nominated film Woodstock: Now and Then. Hobbs also executive produced several limited series including the Emmy-winning Outstanding Non-Fiction Special Gettysburg with Tony and Ridley Scott and America: The Story of US with Nutopia. On the scripted side, Hobbs launched The Bible with Mark Burnett and Roma Downey as well as the breakout drama Vikings.READ MORE>
Bio • Elli Hakami
Prior to Talos, Elli Hakami headed up MTV’s East Coast Production and Development team where she oversaw Catfish and The Challenge. Hakami also ran the unscripted unit for BBC Worldwide Production in LA. During this time, she created and produced a wide range of projects including HBO’s feature documentary Americans in Bed, and National Geographic’s Emmy Award-Winning Life Below Zero. Hakami also served as the Head of Development for Discovery Channel where she oversaw the development of long-running franchises Gold Rush and Dual Survivor. READ MORE>