Laura Poitras’ influence on the film begins before she made it. She was “selected” as she has had past experiences being detained by government agencies in the U.S. after making a film on the Iraq War. Thus, she begins her journey with Snowden knowing the freedom and liberty that is at stake.
Technically, Potrais’ film creates a narrative that puts you in the middle of the experience, paranoia, fear and injustices that each character experiences due to their desire to inform the people about the truth of NSA spying upon the global population. By using images of documents of her being detained at U.S. borders, she is stating facts necessary to create trust.
She then uses imagery to show us encrypted emails and how they convert to messages which engage us into the circumstances. We become part of the story rather than outsiders simply watching.
Eventually, Snowden’s peace is disrupted when the first articles come out, and more so once he reveals his identity. We are taken from the world of secrets to a world of fear for your life being destroyed, including those you love (see: Greenwald’s partner’s detention at Heathrow).
We see a final shot with a scrap of torn up paper that has POTUS written on it amongst a heap of other tiny scraps. Poitras poignantly ends the film with Greenwald picking up the pieces (symbolizing the lives of free citizens) that have been shredded. Telling their story is his duty, all while the leadership of the free world is brought into the spotlight as misusing their power.
