Citizenfour takes Oscar for Best Documentary



Citizenfour, Laura Poitras's brilliant documentary about Edward Snowden, won the Best Documentary Academy Award last night!

I have a very small personal connection to the film: my novel Homeland has a cameo in the movie, as Snowden packs his overnight bag for his flight from Hong Kong. I was immensely proud of this, of course!

Snowden released a statement of congratulations through the ACLU:


"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. 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."

The Intercept's Laura Poitras Wins Academy Award for 'Citizenfour' [Peter Maass/The Intercept]