Citizenfour

Why ?

Citizenfour is a documentary about Edward Snowden and the ugly truth within the National Security Agency. Laura Poitras denounces the story through Edward Snowden’s testimony: the power that the NSA has to access any individual’s personal information at all times.

At the beginning of the film, Laura Poitras establishes her topic by presenting us an anonymous encrypted email she has received from no other than ex-NSA computer wiz: Edward Snowden himself. The latter is willing to divulge the truth about NSA’s excessive infringement of personal data. Poitras and Guardian reporter, Glenn Greenwald fly to Hong Kong to meet him.

Edward Snowden and Glenn Greenwald

The film is skillfully built giving emphasis not only to Snowden but also addressing a global  argument through political speeches, footage of news broadcasts, and UN discussions. The diversity of locations (Berlin, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, Hong Kong…) reinforces the universality of the NSA and its global issues.

One could feel distanced by the Documentary genre, as Poitras develops her story with a considerable amount of structure, as if it were a fiction or a thriller. We first witness an introduction to her characters, followed by their twists and turns, and the denouement through political denunciation. However, the problem persists and is occurring. The film ends with a hopeful tone, with Snowden still remaining in exile in Moscow, and Greenwald exposing his next plan of action. The twist is worthy of a Fincher or Nolan ending, with a feeling of ongoing movement despite the end of the film. Citizenfour ends on a active high note, with an Inception (Christopher Nolan) feel, (but less confusing) the top is still spinning, and the future uncertain but still actively running.

There is also a significant progression of Snowden’s character. The development of his case, and personality reminds us of a film noir hero. The focus is closely centered on him, as we see him sitting on his bed in the Hong Kong Hotel. The audience is brought closer to him through this intimate setting. We witness his emotion change as the case progresses.

Snowden speaks with ease at first. We see his genuine personality, ready to do the world justice, and willing to take in the consequences. At first, he speaks with such courage and confidence, as though his dialogue was written in a screenplay.

On a broader spectrum, Citizenfour exposes us to the degraded notion given to “freedom” in the world we live in today.  This is not only shown through the government’s access to all our day to day information but also to it’s association with the term “privacy.” This underlines a certain irony and misdirection to the meaning given to the word today. We used to think of freedom as a state of being and a freedom of speech. However by associating it to the term “privacy,” “freedom” takes on a whole other meaning: one of secrecy and independence.

Citizenfour is shocking and frightening because it tells the truth. Its greatness and impact makes it difficult to believe. Deep down in ourselves, there is a voice of hope wishing for a scam. Orson Welles in his broadcast of War of the World spoke of the world as, “a world being watched intelligently by a world greater than man.” The Invasion from Mars is being replaced by the NSA. The fairytale is real now. The NSA has the power “greater than man,” -– “man” is weak once again, but for real this time.