Film Analysis of Citizenfour (2014) Citizenfour, a documentary directed by an independent filmmaker named Laura Poitras, scrutinizes secret government surveillance programs after a former employee of the NSA named Edward Snowden decided to reveal certain surveillance programs that violate the privacy of American citizens. To affirm that the United States government consistently violates the privacy of American citizens by intercepting their personal communications and unlawfully spying on them without a court order, Poitras constructs the documentary from an objective point of view using sympathetic appeals and the credentials of the characters in the film to build credibility. Poitras targets United States citizens using these techniques as a way to inform viewers of information that has, and continues, to be acquired by the government without their realization. By
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When Poitras gets ready to film the characters speaking about their personal life, she allows the audience to see the preparation and the questions that would normally be asked behind the scenes. This choice of editing brings the audience back into the world of the documentary as if they are there to watch the story unfold with their own eyes. Allowing the viewers to feel as if they have a first-hand experience while watching this documentary, makes it easier for them to form their own opinions of this documentary and be even more influenced by the stories that are being told within the film. This essentially helps Poitras to build an emotional connection between the audience and the characters. An example of this is when Binney tells the story of his house being raided by the NSA and being held at gunpoint while in the shower for any disclosure of documentation because he was attempting to protect the privacy of the American people as Edward Snowden is now trying to
When Poitras gets ready to film the characters speaking about their personal life, she allows the audience to see the preparation and the questions that would normally be asked behind the scenes. This choice of editing brings the audience back into the world of the documentary as if they are there to watch the story unfold with their own eyes. Allowing the viewers to feel as if they have a first-hand experience while watching this documentary, makes it easier for them to form their own opinions of this documentary and be even more influenced by the stories that are being told within the film. This essentially helps Poitras to build an emotional connection between the audience and the characters. An example of this is when Binney tells the story of his house being raided by the NSA and being held at gunpoint while in the shower for any disclosure of documentation because he was attempting to protect the privacy of the American people as Edward Snowden is now trying to