Citizenfour

2014 • 113 minutes

About this movie

In January 2013, filmmaker Laura Poitras was in the process of constructing a film about abuses of national security in post-9/11 America when she started receiving encrypted e-mails from someone identifying himself as “citizen four,” who was ready to blow the whistle on the massive covert surveillance programs run by the NSA and other intelligence agencies. In June 2013, she and reporter Glenn Greenwald flew to Hong Kong for the first of many meetings with the man who turned out to be Edward Snowden. She brought her camera with her. The film that resulted from this series of tense encounters is absolutely sui generis in the history of cinema. CITIZENFOUR is a major work on multiple levels, and a deeply unsettling experience.

Ratings and reviews

Whatever your opinion about Edward Snowden's actions, you will conclude from watching this film that the man sincerely believed he was acting in the name of public good. And if you are the least concerned about the future of democracy, you may well end up thinking that he was.

Never seen the movie yet but just finish watching actual doc incredible. To some respects to the fact Snowden is truly deep intelligent and yes we all have the right to privacy.

Loved it and it is chilling take on the reality that we live in. I find this the most important piece of history that will shape our future. Very good film on the subject.