Best documentary since The Cove. Feels like some real honest filmmaking once again. I hope director Laura Poitras doesn't end up getting a chip on her shoulder like Michael Moore did, she is doing some very brave and important work.
I'll admit I knew very little of Edward Snowden other than what I saw presented in the media. I didn't really think of him as a treasonous traitor or hero (definitely not a hero, that's for sure). I wasn't sure what to expect from this documentary, I wasn't sure if I was going to get flooded with narrative like during Farenheit 9/11 (yuck). Colour me surprised that it was the initial raw interviews before the story had even surfaced! Incredibly tense, not knowing the fallout and all that. Most of the movie takes place in a Hong Kong hotel room and you feel as trapped as he does.
It really plays out like a thriller, it's amazing that it's a documentary and all of this was captured on film. It really has to be seen and experienced.
Is this even playing in the United States?? Americans should see this more than anybody else.
Fantastic film.
Heart rating: 5 stars
Brain rating: 4 stars