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8

OpinionatedGuyMar 23, 2015

When I heard that there is going to be a documentary about Edward Snowden, I reacted like this: “Of course there is. It’s a news current event so a documentary is needed about him and the event.” What I did not expect is a documentary thatWhen I heard that there is going to be a documentary about Edward Snowden, I reacted like this: “Of course there is. It’s a news current event so a documentary is needed about him and the event.” What I did not expect is a documentary that documents the entire scandal from start to finish on location by Laura Poitras with her camera as she documents with her first e-mail from “CitizenFour” aka Edward Snowden to Snowden’s post-interview in Russia.

What makes this documentary so intriguing to watch was that it feels like you’re watching a political thriller movie that happens to have no script at all because it’s all real and that’s scary.

I have to praise Laura Poitras for forming a story that we can follow in this documentary and it basically helps me understand more about the situation.

This documentary also makes it easy to root for the people involved in this leaking especially Edward Snowden. This documentary also helped me to understand Edward Snowden a little bit more. He is neither a hero nor a traitor, he is just a human being that worked in a government job that has policies that he is disgusted with, that he wants to make sure everyone is reminded that the government is fooling the public and abusing their power because he is concerned about his fellow human beings’ privacy and freedom.

CitizenFour is a documentary that I feel like everyone should watch if they are concerned about their privacy and freedom. On top of that, it feels like a political thriller at the same time and that enhances the viewing experience.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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8

mrniceMay 12, 2015

I would have appreciated more technical information, but the story has wide ramifications and the portrait of the leak itself is amazingly intimate, historically so.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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6

LynSep 12, 2015

The subject matter is important, so I'm keeping my rating in the upper part of the "yellow" section. But as someone who followed the Snowden case closely (and was more fanatically interested in it than any of my friends), I was surprised howThe subject matter is important, so I'm keeping my rating in the upper part of the "yellow" section. But as someone who followed the Snowden case closely (and was more fanatically interested in it than any of my friends), I was surprised how boring the film is. Honestly, Glenn Greenwald's book was 10 times as suspenseful, interesting and relevant. Definitely worth reading: "No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State."… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

NRNSWJul 4, 2015

This should be mandatory viewing for all citizens of the world. It shows how the media worked with Snowden to leak the information and then also how the governments reacted.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

The3AcademySinsJan 23, 2019

Citizenfour is one of my favorite documentaries. Laura Poitras masterfully frames the subject matter like a political thriller. The scary thing is that this is a true political thriller with no traces of fiction. This documentary also servesCitizenfour is one of my favorite documentaries. Laura Poitras masterfully frames the subject matter like a political thriller. The scary thing is that this is a true political thriller with no traces of fiction. This documentary also serves as a beautifully crafted character study of Edward Snowden, who we get to watch during the most vulnerable moments of his entire life. Anyone who is interested in politics, privacy, security, or just interesting people needs to give Citizenfour a watch. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

marricksNov 3, 2014

Having followed these issues closely since the initial leak I have been quite excited about this movie since hearing it.

This movie is a compelling overview of the events that led up to the leak right up to what is happening today. ItHaving followed these issues closely since the initial leak I have been quite excited about this movie since hearing it.

This movie is a compelling overview of the events that led up to the leak right up to what is happening today. It mixes live footage of Glenn, Poitras, and Snowden's initial meeting with presentations, interviews, and new coverage of the events. It's engaging, terrifying, and even funny in a Kafkaesque manner. Go see it!… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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8

foxgroveNov 2, 2014

Laura Poitras is to be commended for her bravery in making this important documentary about the American government's tactics of spying on its own people. Aided by whistle blower Edward Snowden we are privy to the magnitude of the situation.Laura Poitras is to be commended for her bravery in making this important documentary about the American government's tactics of spying on its own people. Aided by whistle blower Edward Snowden we are privy to the magnitude of the situation. Snowden himself comes over as articulate and considered in what he has to say whilst understandably becoming more nervous, albeit still committed, as the story breaks in the media.
The film is both compelling and chilling as it pinpoints how through the government's actions democracy and freedom of speech are being eroded just that little bit more. At one point in the film Obama is heard to say that the issues under scrutiny could have been discussed through debate. Really!!!!!!!! I mean where is the debate when no one is aware of what is going on?
There is a famous saying-'Evil flourishes when good men do nothing'. The question here has to be who are the good men? It is ironic to note that modern technology so revered by everyone is the very thing being used as a tool against us!… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

TVJerryNov 10, 2014

The majority of my real job is editing people talking and the maximum length of my videos is usually 2 minutes. This doc is almost 2 hours and I could have easily edited it down to a tight hour or an interesting 90 minutes. The mostThe majority of my real job is editing people talking and the maximum length of my videos is usually 2 minutes. This doc is almost 2 hours and I could have easily edited it down to a tight hour or an interesting 90 minutes. The most extraordinary thing about this film is the footage of Edward Snowden in a Hong Kong hotel, as he prepares for the release of the famous NSA documents. Filmmaker Laura Poitras offers an absorbing glimpse into the man and his motives. Unfortunately, in an attempt to add miniscule moments of insight (which they usually didn't) and arty cinematic touches (which they usually weren't) almost every shot is held too long and the details are just dull. Even with the ominous drone in the soundtrack, the potential tension never materializes. Poitras' exclusive peek is fascinating, but she could have used a more judicious hand in the edit.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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10

P4inskillerMay 19, 2018

Simply the true story about the first and maybe biggest hero of the 21st century! A must see for everyone who is interesting for the topics of freedom and human rights. Snowden is a world hero and I am as German shamed that the germanSimply the true story about the first and maybe biggest hero of the 21st century! A must see for everyone who is interesting for the topics of freedom and human rights. Snowden is a world hero and I am as German shamed that the german government didn't give him asylum - of course, because she is sill involved in hurting the rights of german (and foreign) people. In the year 2018 even more lies, surveillance and criminal activities by the german government -> wikipedia: "NSA Untersuchungsausschuss". Also shame on Angela Merkel as puppet of the Obama government! My highest respect for this young american guy, Edward Snowden! Truly a hero!… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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3

LamontRaymondNov 11, 2014

Apparently I'm not the target audience for this film, and by target audience, I mean those who have learned virtually nothing about Ed Snow and his revelations over the last year or two. For me, the film was flat-out boring for much of itsApparently I'm not the target audience for this film, and by target audience, I mean those who have learned virtually nothing about Ed Snow and his revelations over the last year or two. For me, the film was flat-out boring for much of its length. Sure, it's cool seeing Ed's facial reactions as the news is breaking, and it's interesting to hear his thought process while instructing the journalists about the vast quantities of intel that he's provided them. What we've got here is an interesting story and a very mediocre to poor documentary telling you that story. And that's just not good enough. You can't just mail this stuff in.… Expand

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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1

silveradoMar 3, 2015

At the beginning of Edward Snowdon's interview he says that American media is too much focused on personalities rather than stories. "This is nog about me" he says. Well, maybe he should have stick with this and never have taken place beforeAt the beginning of Edward Snowdon's interview he says that American media is too much focused on personalities rather than stories. "This is nog about me" he says. Well, maybe he should have stick with this and never have taken place before the camera because this documentary is the boring to death. I know the content is very important but here we have a story that utterly fails in visualization. Citizenfour won an Oscar. It becomes very clear that the Academy is angry at the Obama administration about the lack op privacy for citizens. The award is politics. I hate that! An award should be won for craftsmanship in storytelling and visuals and not for bashing the government.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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0

sgtdarkbytesMar 7, 2015

To think this documentary won an Oscar?!?!? You'll be better off watching PBS Documentary Series "Nova" on Cyberwar, which features Edward Snowden but also gives you MORE information about the reach of this surveillance program, interviewsTo think this documentary won an Oscar?!?!? You'll be better off watching PBS Documentary Series "Nova" on Cyberwar, which features Edward Snowden but also gives you MORE information about the reach of this surveillance program, interviews with other people related to the system, as well as analysis and conclusions on the subject, on the other hand "Citizenfour" is all about Edward Snowden in his Hong Kong hotel room, so we get a lot of long shots of him doing his hair, sleeping, and kinda just "hanging out", with very little information and analysis about the actual capabilities of the data gathering program... 0 Stars!!… Expand

2 of 11 users found this helpful29

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5

3ebfan511Mar 3, 2015

The film itself, as a piece of art is OK. I just don't find anything compelling in the subject matter. That's a problem. It was mildly interesting but until Snowden made a big deal about it there wasn't really a problem to begin with. IfThe film itself, as a piece of art is OK. I just don't find anything compelling in the subject matter. That's a problem. It was mildly interesting but until Snowden made a big deal about it there wasn't really a problem to begin with. If it was that big of a deal the guy would be dead right now. Its a joke, because the guy was complaining about routine surveillance methods that every country with the technology employs or will employ in the future. Its not a big deal. I found it funny on many levels, both his concern, and in peoples reactions as if its some great fantastic problem. The American people are so dumb it is sad. (The stuff in this movie is not the type of stuff you should be worried about. Its laughable.) As a film, I give it a 5, as a piece of important "work" it would get a 1.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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4

JamesCannonFeb 26, 2015

You would think something so compelling as the subject is, was treated with a little more than just a prolonged interview in a hotel room followed by some aftermath of the whistle blowing. It is edited in a such a bland way that itYou would think something so compelling as the subject is, was treated with a little more than just a prolonged interview in a hotel room followed by some aftermath of the whistle blowing. It is edited in a such a bland way that it completely takes away compelling nature of the story.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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4

manofthemoonFeb 15, 2015

By a seemingly conscious refusal to edit, the filmmakers take a major and important news story and commit the crime of making all seem so dull. At times genuinely boring thinking that it's being contemplative. A missed opportunity.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

Brent_MarchantNov 8, 2014

It's truly unfortunate that revelations as important as those being exposed here are told in such a clumsy, plodding manner. This ambling release is riddled with documentary footage desperately in need of editing, coupled with an incessantIt's truly unfortunate that revelations as important as those being exposed here are told in such a clumsy, plodding manner. This ambling release is riddled with documentary footage desperately in need of editing, coupled with an incessant stream of unexplained technospeak, causing much of what's important about this story -- the unfolding events and their wide-ranging implications -- to become lost in the muddle of extraneous flotsam and unending jargon. Judicious snipping and better elaboration of the material would have made the message of this picture immeasurably more accessible to a wider lay audience -- the very people who need to get it. Instead, we're left with a picture that mostly preaches to a choir of technically savvy insiders, most of whom are likely already familiar with the story and how it came to pass.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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6

epdFilmOct 27, 2014

Die in Berlin lebende Amerikanerin Laura Poitras hat Edward Snowden in den Tagen seiner Enthüllungen im Juni 2013 in Hongkong gefilmt

Wie oft ist die Rede von historischen Momenten, von Augenblicken, in denen Geschichte geschrieben wird.Die in Berlin lebende Amerikanerin Laura Poitras hat Edward Snowden in den Tagen seiner Enthüllungen im Juni 2013 in Hongkong gefilmt

Wie oft ist die Rede von historischen Momenten, von Augenblicken, in denen Geschichte geschrieben wird. Doch wer erlebt diese Momente schon aus nächster Nähe? Vor diesem Hintergrund wirkt Laura Poitras’ Dokumentation geradezu sensationell. Sie rekonstruiert nicht nur einen historischen Augenblick. Sie führt den Betrachter direkt ins Zentrum des Geschehens und lässt ihn an den epochalen Ereignissen zumindest bis zu einem gewissen Punkt teilhaben.

Im Juni 2013 haben sich Poitras, die zuvor schon mit Irak – Mein fremdes Land und Der Eid – Einblicke in das Al-Kaida-Netzwerk zwei vielbeachtete Dokumentationen über die Welt nach dem 11. September 2001 gedreht hat, und der Journalist Glenn Greenwald in Hongkong mit dem Whistleblower Edward Snowden getroffen. Der hatte zuvor unter dem Pseudonym »Citizenfour« mit der Filmemacherin Kontakt aufgenommen und ihr im Lauf einer verschlüsselten E-Mail-Korrespondenz Dokumente versprochen, die beweisen, dass die NSA jeden US-Bürger ausspäht. Während der acht Tage, an denen Snowden neben Poitras und Greenwald auch den britischen Journalisten Ewen MacAskill in seinem Hotelzimmer empfangen und die von ihm gesammelten Informationen erläutert hat, lief die Kamera immer wieder mit.

Snowdens Enthüllungen, die schließlich darin gipfeln, dass er selbst an die Öffentlichkeit geht und sich offenbart, erschüttern in diesen Tagen die Welt. Sie verändern die öffentliche Wahrnehmung. Ein bisher eher vages Gefühl von Paranoia schlägt in Gewissheit um. Die eigentliche Paranoia liegt auf staatlicher Seite und hat eine neue Realität geschaffen. Trotzdem wirkt Poitras’ Dokumentation, die ganz nah an den Ereignissen dran ist, auf eine irritierende Weise distanziert und kühl.

Vielleicht liegt es daran, dass Poitras mit aller Macht versucht, Snowden nicht zu heroisieren. Vielleicht aber auch daran, dass abgesehen von einigen Bildern, die einen stillen, sein eigenes Handeln immer wieder reflektierenden Snowden zeigen, kaum etwas wirklich neu ist. Die kurzen Auftritte von Julian Assange und Jacob Appelbaum haben fast etwas Pflichtschuldiges. Und selbst die Momente, in denen Poitras mit dem ehemaligen NSA-Entwickler William Binney einen zweiten Kritiker der allgegenwärtigen Überwachungsmaschinerie ins Feld führt, bleiben sehr sachlich.

Citizenfour provoziert keinen Aufstand. Man kann sich nicht einmal sicher sein, ob die Geschichte eines Einzelnen, der sich gegen die Macht stellt, tatsächlich so etwas wie Vorbildcharakter erhält. Obwohl Laura Poitras selbst immer wieder überwacht wurde und deswegen nach Berlin gezogen ist, werden der Schrecken und die Gefahren einer kafkaesk gewordenen Realität, in der die NSA und andere Geheimdienste praktisch die gesamte Menschheit unter Generalverdacht stellen, kaum greifbar. Den größten Eindruck hinterlassen letztlich kleine Details und Randbeobachtungen, etwa der Moment, in dem Edward Snowden bewusst wird, dass das Festnetztelefon in seinem Hotelzimmer durchaus auch benutzt werden könnte, um ihn abzuhören.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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5

TyranianDec 21, 2019

Vaguely interesting exposition of reporting techniques but the actual focus is not as revelatory as its made out to be.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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7

MattBrady99Jul 10, 2015

So I just watch the Oscar winning documentary Citizenfour and it was pretty good. The documentary is well made and has a lot of things to like about it, but I never feel like I'm going to watch it again and it's not for everyone. Some peopleSo I just watch the Oscar winning documentary Citizenfour and it was pretty good. The documentary is well made and has a lot of things to like about it, but I never feel like I'm going to watch it again and it's not for everyone. Some people may get bored out of they minds watching this documentary but while some may find it interesting, for me I was interested on what was going on and the topic that the documentary was focusing on. I would recommend this to those who love documentaries and see what you think of it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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10

miccaelApr 15, 2019

Basically a must-watch movie for everyone who cares about privacy. this should be shown in schools, maybe cut into main important bits but definitely shown so that kids of today and adults of tomorrow value their privacy and freedom. (alsoBasically a must-watch movie for everyone who cares about privacy. this should be shown in schools, maybe cut into main important bits but definitely shown so that kids of today and adults of tomorrow value their privacy and freedom. (also I don't get why there are negative reviews for such an important film)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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