In January 2013, Poitras began to receive encrypted e-mails from someone calling himself "Citizen 4," who was ready to disclose the secret surveillance programs of the NSA and other agencies. In June 2013 she, alongside journalist Glenn Greenwald, went to Hong Kong to meet with this man, who turned out to be Snowden. Poitras has repeatedly met with the whistleblower, which resulted in this documentary consisting of his interviews.
"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," Snowden said in a statement published on ACLU's website.
Snowden also expressed hope that the 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 "Citizenfour" director thanked Snowden for courage, when accepting the award on Sunday night in Los Angeles.
Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden has been leaking information about secret surveillance programs conducted by the US NSA and other intelligence agencies since 2013.
In August 2013, he was granted asylum and later a three-year residency permit by Russia. Snowden is wanted in the United States on a number of charges, including espionage and government property theft.
