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"CitizenFour".
Dec. 17th, 2014 09:23 pmProverbs for Paranoids, #5: Paranoids are not paranoids because they’re paranoid, but because they keep putting themselves, fucking idiots, deliberately into paranoid situations. (Thomas Pynchon.)
I have just between to see Laura Poitras' film about Edward Snowden and the workings of the security services, particularly NSA and GCHQ.
Firstly, having followed the revelations in the Guardian last year, and heard Ewan Macaskill (one of the journalists involved in the leaks from an early stage) in October, I don't think the film held anything new.
Secondly, I thought it was a very good film. Given that the story is now public and we know what happened, it was grippingly paced and tense.
Thirdly, Snowden came across as completely genuine, not after glory for himself or out for personal gain. He should be given a medal rather than chased by the security services.
Fourthly, Glenn Greenwald (the main journalist involved, together with Poitras) doesn't. I can't put my finger on went I felt disquieted by him - perhaps because he did stand to gain from the revelations: he is now known around the world.
Lastly, it has left me feeling very paranoid. Nothing is private. Which is uncomfortable. One of the people interviewed laments how basic freedoms and civil liberties are now called "privacy", and how we don't seem to be complaining too much that they've between lost. Not a good place to be.
Secondly lastly, I have no idea why Snowden used the handle "CitizenFour". Who are Citizens One, Two and Three?
https://citizenfourfilm.com
I have just between to see Laura Poitras' film about Edward Snowden and the workings of the security services, particularly NSA and GCHQ.
Firstly, having followed the revelations in the Guardian last year, and heard Ewan Macaskill (one of the journalists involved in the leaks from an early stage) in October, I don't think the film held anything new.
Secondly, I thought it was a very good film. Given that the story is now public and we know what happened, it was grippingly paced and tense.
Thirdly, Snowden came across as completely genuine, not after glory for himself or out for personal gain. He should be given a medal rather than chased by the security services.
Fourthly, Glenn Greenwald (the main journalist involved, together with Poitras) doesn't. I can't put my finger on went I felt disquieted by him - perhaps because he did stand to gain from the revelations: he is now known around the world.
Lastly, it has left me feeling very paranoid. Nothing is private. Which is uncomfortable. One of the people interviewed laments how basic freedoms and civil liberties are now called "privacy", and how we don't seem to be complaining too much that they've between lost. Not a good place to be.
Secondly lastly, I have no idea why Snowden used the handle "CitizenFour". Who are Citizens One, Two and Three?
https://citizenfourfilm.com