Citizenfour

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S R I wanted to learn the story of ES and this was it. It was informative and scary. I hope that those exposed will have to be held accountable for their actions and that our elected leaders will protect American freedoms and rights, including privacy. Shame on Obama for going against his promises. As a film it was reasonably well made. It was confusing at times with who the people they were referencing are, but it still manages to get its point across. It could have been more effective, but then it probably would have had to have been more dramatized. Saw on Tubi. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/11/24 Full Review Shael One of those stories you watch and will never forget, almost like it lives in the back of your mind like a surveillance tape. Massive respect for the brave hero of out story. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/26/23 Full Review Alec B It's hard to deny the film's power and it's made all the more interesting by Snowden's very distinct lack of charisma. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/13/23 Full Review Rich S Along comes Edward Snowden, whose reveal in Poitras' film is one of the highlights of this low-action thriller. Snowden is obviously, as he has been most of his life, the smartest guy in the room. He has taken the first leap toward martyrdom and will leave behind his family and his country to get the word out about a vast network of global surveillance the US has helped to develop. And there is no irony when Snowden, tucked safely away in a Moscow apartment, is seen in footage taken by Poitras as a man in hiding in the safe haven of Putin's Russia. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/22/23 Full Review B R Incredible & Important Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/06/23 Full Review Mato S Citizenfour (2014) is a documentary film directed by Laura Poitras, who also produced it along with Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky. It is the third and final installment of Poitras' 9/11 trilogy, following My Country, My Country (2006) and The Oath (2010). The film documents the meeting and interviews between Poitras, journalist Glenn Greenwald, and former NSA contractor Edward Snowden in Hong Kong in June 2013, where Snowden revealed his identity as the source of the leaked documents that exposed the NSA's mass surveillance programs. The film also shows the aftermath of Snowden's revelations, his escape from Hong Kong, his asylum in Russia, and the reactions of the public and the authorities. The film is a riveting and revealing account of one of the most significant whistleblowing events of our time. It shows the courage and conviction of Snowden, who risked his life and freedom to expose the truth about the US government's violation of privacy and human rights. It also shows the dedication and professionalism of Poitras and Greenwald, who worked tirelessly to verify and publish Snowden's information, while facing threats and harassment from the intelligence agencies. The film also captures the tension and suspense of the situation, as Snowden and his allies try to evade detection and capture by the US government. The film benefits from a direct and intimate access to Snowden, who appears as a calm, articulate and intelligent person who explains his motives and actions clearly and convincingly. He also shows his human side, as he expresses his fears, doubts and emotions during his ordeal. Poitras also uses her camera effectively to create a sense of urgency and authenticity, as she records the events as they unfold in real time. She also uses archival footage, surveillance images, computer graphics and voice-overs to provide context and background information for the audience. The film also features a minimalist but haunting score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross that adds to the mood and atmosphere of the film. The film is not without flaws, however. The film may be biased in favor of Snowden and his supporters, as it does not present any opposing views or arguments from the US government or its allies. The film may also be too technical or complex for some viewers, as it delves into the details and implications of the NSA's surveillance programs. The film may also be too long or repetitive for some viewers, as it covers a lot of ground and information that may already be familiar to some. Citizenfour (2014) is a powerful and important film that tells a compelling and relevant story about one of the most courageous and controversial figures of our time. It is a film that challenges and informs its viewers about the issues of privacy, security and democracy in the digital age. It is a film that deserves to be seen and discussed by anyone who cares about these issues. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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