Laura Poitras Collection

Collection of four documentaries directed by Laura Poitras. In 'Risk' (2016) Poitras examines the story of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, looking at how he came to be an internationally notorious figure, and interviews him to examine his position on recent events. In 2010 Assange lived in rural Norfolk, England and was trying to avoid extradition to Sweden where he was wanted for questioning regarding accusations of sexual assault. Following this, Assange sought asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London and continued the regular leaks performed by his organisation. The culmination of his involvement in current affairs came with his precisely timed revelation of unredacted diplomatic cables during the already explosive 2016 United States presidential race. Poitras provides an intimate portrait of Assange and highlights how her own perspective on the man changes as her proximity to him lays bare megalomania and hypocrisy. 'Citizenfour' (2014) follows reporter Glenn Greenwald and film-maker Poitras as they travel to Hong Kong to meet with former CIA and NSA employee Edward Snowden in the days leading up to the leak of classified information which revealed a number of global surveillance programs. 'The Oath' (2010) focuses on two men who were involved in Al-Qaeda. Osama bin Laden's former bodyguard, Abu Jandal, reflects on his past and shares his opinions on the Western world. He is now working as a taxi driver and living in Yemen. Jandal's brother-in-law and bin Laden's driver, Salim Hamdan, met a much worse fate - he was found guilty of terrorism and resides in Guantanamo Bay's military prison, though he claims to be innocent. Jandal and the rest of Hamdan's family continue to fight for his freedom, despite knowing they are unlikely to ever succeed in their campaign. Finally, 'My Country, My Country' (2006) examines the effects of the war in Iraq on the people who call the country home.