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Citizenfour 2014

When filmmaker Laura Poitras began exploring the dark underbelly of national security in post-9/11 America, she received cryptic messages from an anonymous source known as "Citizenfour," sparking a thrilling cat-and-mouse game that would reveal shocking truths about NSA surveillance. In Hong Kong, Poitras joined forces with journalist Glenn Greenwald to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic Edward Snowden's daring whistleblowing revelations.

When filmmaker Laura Poitras began exploring the dark underbelly of national security in post-9/11 America, she received cryptic messages from an anonymous source known as "Citizenfour," sparking a thrilling cat-and-mouse game that would reveal shocking truths about NSA surveillance. In Hong Kong, Poitras joined forces with journalist Glenn Greenwald to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic Edward Snowden's daring whistleblowing revelations.

Does Citizenfour have end credit scenes?

No!

Citizenfour does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Citizenfour

Explore the complete cast of Citizenfour, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Citizenfour

See how Citizenfour is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Citizenfour stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

88

Metascore

7.7

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

96%

TOMATOMETER

review

87%

User Score

IMDb

8.0 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

77

%

User Score

Letterboxd

4.0

From 85 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate Citizenfour Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Citizenfour with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Citizenfour Quiz: Test your knowledge on the events and themes presented in the documentary Citizenfour.

Who is the director of Citizenfour?

Awards & Nominations for Citizenfour

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by Citizenfour, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Citizenfour and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


87th Academy Awards 2015

Win

Documentary (Feature)

68th British Academy Film Awards 2015

Win

Best Documentary

20th Critics' Choice Awards 2015

Nomination

Best Documentary Feature

67th Directors Guild of America Awards 2015

Laura Poitras
Win

Documentaries

Laura Poitras

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Citizenfour

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Read the complete plot summary of Citizenfour, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In January 2013, American documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras, who had been diligently crafting a film about surveillance programs resulting from the September 11 attacks, receives an encrypted email from a mysterious figure who refers to himself as Citizenfour. This stranger presents her with insider information regarding the illegal wiretapping conducted by the US National Security Agency (NSA) and other intelligence organizations.

By June 2013, Poitras, alongside journalist Glenn Greenwald and The Guardian reporter Ewen MacAskill, travels to Hong Kong armed with her camera for a pivotal meeting with Citizenfour in a hotel. There, he reveals his true identity as Edward Snowden. The atmosphere in Snowden’s hotel room is laden with tension and secrecy, as he expertly maintains his privacy. Various scenes, including him lying in bed and glancing into the mirror, depict him as a fraught political agent ensnared in a web of government scrutiny.

After four days filled with intensive interviews, on June 9, Snowden expresses his desire to go public, and soon enough, the media begins to uncover his location at the Mira Hotel. To avoid relentless phone calls directed at him, Snowden relocates to Poitras’ room. Facing the looming threat of extradition and prosecution by the United States, he proceeds to organize a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to apply for asylum. As Poitras grows suspicious of being tailed, she ultimately decides to leave Hong Kong for Berlin, Germany.

On June 21, the US government issues a request for Snowden’s extradition from Hong Kong. Managing to escape, he finds himself stranded at the Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow for 40 days after his US passport is revoked, preventing him from connecting to Havana. On August 1, 2013, he is granted temporary asylum by the Russian government for one year. Meanwhile, Greenwald returns to his home in Rio de Janeiro, publicly addressing the NSA’s misuse of its surveillance capabilities. Both Greenwald and Poitras correspond with each other, voicing their shared apprehension about returning to the United States.

Throughout the documentary, various vignettes enrich the narrative, including insights from NSA whistleblower William Binney, who speaks on the agency’s operations and goes on to testify before the German Parliament about NSA espionage in Germany.

The film culminates with an intriguing reunion in Russia between Greenwald, Snowden, and Poitras. Engaging in a careful discussion about newfound revelations regarding US intelligence, they consciously opt to jot down sensitive information instead of voicing it aloud. In a moment of deliberation, Greenwald rips these important documents into shreds, forming a growing pile of remnants before methodically removing them from the table.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Citizenfour

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CITIZENFOUR (HBO Documentary Films)

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


mass surveillancegovernment surveillancensaedward snowdenespionagenational security agencyinvestigative journalistwhistleblowingwhistleblowerinformation leakus government deceptioncorrupt politicianinvasion of privacyviolation of privacygovernment scandalfreedom fighterwikileakssurveillancereference to the internethotel roomreference to julian assangecivil rightsunconstitutionalreference to edward snowdenhong konggermanybrazilpatriot acttitle directed by femaleamerican war crimesbreaking the lawgovernment corruptiongovernment cover up4th amendmentthe weinstein companyhbocia central intelligence agencyfilm journalismf ratedspyingreference to george w. bushterrorismunited states of americareporterparanoiatelecommunicationinternetlawyerreference to barack obamareference to 9 11

Articles, Reviews & Explainers About Citizenfour

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