(TGP Screengrab)
“Citizenfour” took home the top documentary prize at Sunday night’s Oscars, and the man at the center of the film sent along his congratulations from Russia. NSA leaker Edward Snowden, whose girlfriend was on stage for the acceptance speech, sent along a statement through the American Civil Liberties Union.
“When Laura Poitras asked me if she could film our encounters, I was extremely reluctant. I’m grateful that I allowed her to persuade me,” Snowden said in the statement provided to the ACLU. “The result is a brave and brilliant film that deserves the honor and recognition it has received. My hope is that this award will encourage more people to see the film and be inspired by its message that ordinary citizens, working together, can change the world.”
Despite the extravagant displays of excess and self-flattery this time around the Oscars did not completely cave in to the imperial script. While American Sniper was frequently mentioned, and star Bradley Cooper duly and brainlessly lionized, he did not win the top prize as actor, and neither did aging jingoist Eastwood get the statuette for director. And the best movie award went to Birdman. How did this basic measure of elementary justice invade the Oscars is anyone’s guess.
Filmmaker Laura Poitras said in her acceptance speech, “The disclosures that Edward Snowden revealed don’t only reveal a threat to our democracy, but to our lives ourselves.”
Neil Patrick Harris’ cheap shot at Snowden—probably a suck-ass maneuver— met with near silence. This fellow defines career opportunism, ignorance, or both. Not funny!
“The subject of ‘Citizenfour,’ Edward Snowden, could not be here for some treason,” host Neil Patrick Harris cracked after Poitras finished speaking — to near-silence in the hall.
Journalist Glenn Greenwald, who was not nominated for the award but played a prominent role in the film, held Poitras’ Oscar during the speech.
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