There will be people that hate this Documentary, on both sides of this story. I found it pretty fair! It is though, still an ongoing story.
NOTE: Those that whine about Assange not being interviewed, obviously are planted reviews and never watched the film. The Film states a for the record that it was the desire, and the filmmakers made every attempt to interview him! The problem was that he REFUSED to be interviewed unless the filmmakers made a large donation to WikiLeaks. SO that tells the story right there.)
First I really don't think this story is unfair to either those that oppose Wikileaks and hate them, or those that support them...or him (Assange). It gives the story about who the mysterious Assange, and how he became the man he is. Starting as a computer hacker, and turning into a bit of a hypocritical, ideologue who has become reclusive and even turned on those that worked with him.
It does show Bradley Manning as sort of a confused man, and almost a victim, but that is a bit tempered by what he really did. There is no doubt that this man needs to be in prison. And Adrian Limo, who turned in Bradley Manning, was portrayed in a pretty neutral light. Limo probably has a little less morals than desired, and facilitated Manning's leaks, but it's hard to get a read if he really should be a villain or not, but it's pretty certain he isn't a real good guy.
There are those that are all-in Idealogues that support Assange and WikiLeaks. Personally, if WikiLeaks was just publishing leaked info passed onto them, I would say that they are doing nothing any other news source would not do. This is something the film pushes a bit. BUT. What wikileaks WAS doing was putting out a "wishlist" of the type of info they wanted, and was actively encouraging people to spy, or steal sensitive information from governments. People who have access to such information have taken oaths to keep it. On that point they are horrible people. Assange is just an idealistic ego maniac who has no morals and is just as evil as those he claims to expose. Take the scene where a reporter says he asked Assange if he would publish information that could get Afghan civilians killed, Assange's answer was "Yes," justifying if by saying if the Afghan civilian cooperated with U.S. forces, that is cooperating with the enemy and therefore deserved to die.
Assange is NOT a hero, or noble character like his supporters think he is. No, he is more about Julian Assange, and anything to stroke his own ego. Tell me, did he seek out documents and leaks from the Iranian or North Korean Nuclear programs? How about looking for communications from Terrorist groups and suicide bombers? How about the Chinese government and their human rights abuses? Did WikiLeaks go after the abuses of the Assad Regime in Syria? Before you label someone a hero take a look at what they are really doing. Just something to ponder
With all the haters and supporters alike it will be hard to give this documentary a fair review. I give it a nine. I think it was pretty well done but the story hasn't ended yet. I also think it tells a good portion from several sides and I really don't think it is extremely biased in any way. Those that support him....well. it's hard to ignore the negatives about Assange coming from those that supported and worked with him in the beginning but were thrown out due to an ego maniacs paranoid delusions. I would also say that a "hero" doesn't run and hide. If he feels he is right he stands tall and is prepared to face and consequences of his actions. That does not describe Assange.
NOTE: Those that whine about Assange not being interviewed, obviously are planted reviews and never watched the film. The Film states a for the record that it was the desire, and the filmmakers made every attempt to interview him! The problem was that he REFUSED to be interviewed unless the filmmakers made a large donation to WikiLeaks. SO that tells the story right there.)
First I really don't think this story is unfair to either those that oppose Wikileaks and hate them, or those that support them...or him (Assange). It gives the story about who the mysterious Assange, and how he became the man he is. Starting as a computer hacker, and turning into a bit of a hypocritical, ideologue who has become reclusive and even turned on those that worked with him.
It does show Bradley Manning as sort of a confused man, and almost a victim, but that is a bit tempered by what he really did. There is no doubt that this man needs to be in prison. And Adrian Limo, who turned in Bradley Manning, was portrayed in a pretty neutral light. Limo probably has a little less morals than desired, and facilitated Manning's leaks, but it's hard to get a read if he really should be a villain or not, but it's pretty certain he isn't a real good guy.
There are those that are all-in Idealogues that support Assange and WikiLeaks. Personally, if WikiLeaks was just publishing leaked info passed onto them, I would say that they are doing nothing any other news source would not do. This is something the film pushes a bit. BUT. What wikileaks WAS doing was putting out a "wishlist" of the type of info they wanted, and was actively encouraging people to spy, or steal sensitive information from governments. People who have access to such information have taken oaths to keep it. On that point they are horrible people. Assange is just an idealistic ego maniac who has no morals and is just as evil as those he claims to expose. Take the scene where a reporter says he asked Assange if he would publish information that could get Afghan civilians killed, Assange's answer was "Yes," justifying if by saying if the Afghan civilian cooperated with U.S. forces, that is cooperating with the enemy and therefore deserved to die.
Assange is NOT a hero, or noble character like his supporters think he is. No, he is more about Julian Assange, and anything to stroke his own ego. Tell me, did he seek out documents and leaks from the Iranian or North Korean Nuclear programs? How about looking for communications from Terrorist groups and suicide bombers? How about the Chinese government and their human rights abuses? Did WikiLeaks go after the abuses of the Assad Regime in Syria? Before you label someone a hero take a look at what they are really doing. Just something to ponder
With all the haters and supporters alike it will be hard to give this documentary a fair review. I give it a nine. I think it was pretty well done but the story hasn't ended yet. I also think it tells a good portion from several sides and I really don't think it is extremely biased in any way. Those that support him....well. it's hard to ignore the negatives about Assange coming from those that supported and worked with him in the beginning but were thrown out due to an ego maniacs paranoid delusions. I would also say that a "hero" doesn't run and hide. If he feels he is right he stands tall and is prepared to face and consequences of his actions. That does not describe Assange.