Citizenfour Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy tells on the government for spying, then hides in a hotel room, proving the government definitely isn’t watching.

🍿 Citizenfour: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Encrypted Communication Begins

In January 2013, filmmaker Laura Poitras, already working on a documentary about post-9/11 surveillance, begins receiving encrypted emails from an anonymous source calling themself “Citizenfour.” Citizenfour claims to possess evidence of widespread illegal surveillance programs conducted by the NSA and other intelligence agencies. The communications detail the sender’s knowledge and willingness to share highly classified information.

Meeting in Hong Kong

Five months later, Poitras, accompanied by journalist Glenn Greenwald and The Guardian reporter Ewen MacAskill, travels to Hong Kong to meet Citizenfour in person. The film documents their initial meetings, capturing the tension and uncertainty as they prepare to handle the sensitive information. This section is primarily filmed in a hotel room, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere.

Unveiling Edward Snowden

Citizenfour reveals themself to be Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor. Over several days, Snowden meticulously explains the scope and nature of the NSA’s surveillance programs, providing detailed information on how the agency collects and analyzes vast amounts of data from citizens around the world. The film shows Snowden handing over classified documents to Greenwald and MacAskill, preparing them to break the story to the public.

The Fallout Begins

After Snowden’s identity is revealed, the film captures the immediate aftermath, including the media frenzy and the US government’s response. Snowden faces potential extradition and prosecution, and the film shows him seeking asylum. Poitras, fearing surveillance, leaves Hong Kong for Berlin. This section highlights the personal risks and sacrifices involved in exposing government secrets.

Aftermath and Continued Revelations

The film follows the ongoing fallout from Snowden’s revelations, including international reactions and discussions about government surveillance. It also includes segments featuring William Binney, a former NSA intelligence official, who speaks out against the agency’s practices. Citizenfour illustrates the continued impact of Snowden’s actions and the ongoing debate about privacy and security.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Edward Snowden (Self): A former NSA contractor who leaked classified information about government surveillance programs, sparking a global debate on privacy and security.
• Laura Poitras (Self): The documentary filmmaker who receives encrypted emails from Snowden and documents his revelations in Hong Kong.
• Glenn Greenwald (Self): The journalist who helps Snowden expose the NSA’s surveillance programs to the public.
• Ewen MacAskill (Self): The Guardian’s intelligence reporter who collaborates with Greenwald and Snowden to break the story.
• William Binney (Self): A former NSA intelligence official who speaks about NSA programs, providing context to Snowden’s revelations.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Edward Snowden: “I don’t want to live in a society that does these sort of things… I do not want to live in a world where everything I do and say is recorded.” – Expressing his core motivation for revealing the NSA’s surveillance programs.
• Edward Snowden: “You have to make a choice about what sort of world you want to live in.” – Speaking about the balance between security and privacy in the digital age.
• Edward Snowden: “I’m not going to let them bully me into silence, like they have everyone else.” – Outlining his reasoning for publicly revealing his identity as the source of the leaks.
• Edward Snowden: “Assume your adversary is capable of one trillion guesses per second.” – Advising on the importance of strong encryption in a world of mass surveillance

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $2,800,870
• Worldwide Gross: $3,780,692

💥 Citizenfour Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely captivated by ‘Citizenfour.’ It felt like I was right there in that Hong Kong hotel room with Snowden, Greenwald, and Poitras. The tension was palpable. Seeing Snowden’s commitment to his principles, even knowing the consequences, was incredibly moving. The film really made me question the balance between security and privacy in our modern world, and it’s a conversation we desperately need to have. I walked away feeling both disturbed and inspired.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “People interested in politics and government surveillance”
  • “Fans of documentary films and investigative journalism”
  • “Viewers concerned about privacy and civil liberties”
  • “Those interested in real-life spy thrillers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Discussion of sensitive political topics”
  • “Mentions of government surveillance and espionage”
  • “Some tension and paranoia-inducing scenes”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “A nerve-shredding real-life thriller that unfolds with the precision of a high-stakes spy novel. Poitras captures history as it happens, offering a stark and unsettling look at the surveillance state.
• The Guardian: “A landmark documentary, Citizenfour is a chilling, essential film for anyone concerned about government overreach and the erosion of privacy in the digital age. Poitras delivers a powerful and unforgettable cinematic experience.
• Variety: “A gripping and unsettling account of Edward Snowden’s revelations. Citizenfour offers unprecedented access to the man behind the headlines, creating a tense and thought-provoking experience.

Audience Reactions

Real-time footage creates intense suspense.: Viewers were captivated by the feeling of witnessing history as it unfolded.

Snowden’s courage inspired viewers.: Many admired Snowden’s bravery and commitment to exposing government overreach.

Overall Consensus: Citizenfour is a critically acclaimed documentary praised for its real-time footage, suspenseful narrative, and exploration of privacy and government surveillance.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Documentary Feature)- 2015
2. BAFTA Award (Best Documentary)- 2015

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Laura Poitras edited the film in Germany after flying directly there from Hong Kong with the Snowden footage, to prevent the FBI from showing up with a search warrant for her hard drives.”
• “The film’s title, ‘Citizenfour,’ is the pseudonym Edward Snowden used when first contacting Laura Poitras anonymously.”
• “Much of the film was shot in real-time, capturing the unfolding events as they happened in Snowden’s Hong Kong hotel room.”

🖥️ How to Watch Citizenfour?

Citizenfour is a documentary film, and while it may not be available on traditional streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu, you can often find it for rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube Movies, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred digital retailer for availability. DVD and Blu-ray copies are also available for purchase online and in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Citizenfour, you might like these similar films:

• All the President’s Men (1976): Classic investigative journalism film about exposing government secrets, similar in its focus on the process of uncovering a major scandal.
• The Fifth Estate (2013): A dramatization of the WikiLeaks story, providing a different perspective on whistleblowing and the release of classified information.
• Zero Days (2016): Another documentary by Alex Gibney that explores the world of cyber warfare and government surveillance, complementing the themes in Citizenfour.
• Official Secrets (2019): Based on the true story of a British intelligence specialist who leaked a memo exposing illegal activities leading up to the Iraq War. Shares the themes of government overreach and individual conscience.

🛒 Citizenfour Related Products

• Permanent Record: My Story: Edward Snowden’s autobiographical account providing deeper context to the events depicted in ‘Citizenfour’. Delve into his motivations and experiences.
• Encrypted USB Drive: Hardware-encrypted USB drive for secure data storage, inspired by Snowden’s methods.
• No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State: Glenn Greenwald’s book based on the documents he reviewed as part of his coverage of Edward Snowden’s leaks.
• Snowden (Blu-ray): Oliver Stone’s dramatic interpretation of Snowden’s story, offering a different perspective and more narrative depth.

🎧 Soundtrack

Citizenfour features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “02 Ghosts I” – performed by Nine Inch Nails

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

“I’ll Show You What I Remove from My Phone Before Using It!” Edward Snowden

Ever wondered what Edward Snowden does to protect his phone? He actually shows you what to remove *before* even using it! It’s pretty eye-opening and makes you think twice about your own security.

The Snowden Movie vs Real Life

How much of the ‘Snowden’ movie is actually true? This video compares scenes from the movie with real-life footage from ‘Citizenfour’. It’s fascinating to see what they got right (and wrong!).

Citizenfour: Inside Story of NSA Leaker Edward Snowden Captured in New Film by Laura Poitras

Want to know the inside story behind ‘Citizenfour’ straight from the director, Laura Poitras? She shares her own experiences with government surveillance and the challenges of filming Edward Snowden. Definitely worth a watch!

✨ Rate