What in the name of national security is Oliver Stone’s “Snowden” doing at Comic Con? Good question and it’s probably one that even Edward Snowden or NSA could barely answer themselves. Regardless, sandwiched in between superhero movies, sci-fi films, genre pictures and more super hero movies, Snowden is heading to San Diego soon. And of course, it’s the story of the aforementioned Snowden the most notorious whistleblower in U.S. history who then had to live in exile outside of the country where he still resides. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the former NSA government agent who feels morally obliged to get the information he has uncovered out to the public. Traitor or patriot? Well, with a tagline like “He believed in his country enough to risk everything to save it,” you know that Stone is on the side of the dissident. Here’s the official synopsis:
Academy Award®-winning director Oliver Stone, who brought Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, Wall Street and JFK to the big screen, tackles the most important and fascinating true story of the 21st century. Snowden, the politically-charged, pulse-pounding thriller starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley, reveals the incredible untold personal story of Edward Snowden, the polarizing figure who exposed shocking illegal surveillance activities by the NSA and became one of the most wanted men in the world. He is considered a hero by some, and a traitor by others. No matter which you believe, the epic story of why he did it, who he left behind, and how he pulled it off makes for one of the most compelling films of the year.
Co-starring Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, Tom Wilkinson and Rhys Ifans, Open Road Films will unveil “Snowden” on September 16th which probably makes it ripe for a Toronto International Film Festival premiere.