In January 2013, Laura Poitras was several years into making a film about surveillance in the post-9/11 era 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 journalist Glenn Greenwald flew to Hong Kong for the first of many meetings with the man who turned out to be Edward Snowden.
Poitras brought her camera with her. The film that resulted from this series of tense encounters is absolutely sui generis in the history of cinema: a 100% real-life thriller unfolding minute by minute before our eyes. Executive Produced by Steven Soderbergh, CITIZEN FOUR is a major work on multiple levels, and a deeply unsettling experience. The film received a standing ovation at the New York Film Festival premiere screening.
Luna Palace Cinemas in Leederville will screen CITIZENFOUR (M). It’s a real life thriller, unfolding by the minute, giving audiences unprecedented access to Poitras and Greenwald’s encounters with Snowden in Hong Kong, as he hands over classified documents providing evidence of mass indiscriminate and illegal invasions of privacy by the National Security Agency.
Luna Outdoor will have a special screening and Panel Q&A discussion (Saturday 14th February – Valentine’s Day) with special guests: WA Green Sen. Scott Ludlam, a strong advocate against mandatory data retention; Kim Heitman, Director of Legal Services UWA and Gary Adshead, Morning Show presenter at 6PR Perth who has worked as a journalist in print, radio & television. Alison Fan, reporter, presenter, interviewer and producer will host the evening
CITIZENFOUR not only shows you the dangers of governmental surveillance—it makes you feel them. After seeing the film, you will never think the same way about your phone, email, credit card, web browser, or profile, ever again.
Season starts From Feb 12 Luna Outdoor + Luna Indoor
