Citizenfour

Born 1737, a supporter of the American and French Revolutions, accused of being a traitor to his country and irreligious, Englishman Thomas Paine answered:  “My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.”

Likewise, Edward Snowden had the world in mind when he selflessly and irredeemably compromised his own life by revealing the massively-intrusive, global intelligence-gathering of the National Security Agency.

Acclaimed documentary-maker Laura Poitras is contacted by a mysterious ‘citizenfour’ and they meet in Hong Kong, in June 2013, where he presents classified documents to prove his story.

But how you take something this momentous and make the account dull is a strange achievement indeed? Perhaps the scoop aspect overwhelmed some of the niceties of film-making.

Everyone should know the message of Edward Snowden but whether this particular documentary is the best way to become acquainted is a moot point. (MMu)

2.5/5 stars