After Snowden, Filmmaker Laura Poitras Takes On Julian Assange

WHISTLEBLOWING - SURVEILLANCE, 14 Sep 2015

James Vincent – The Verge

Poitras’ new documentary unit Field of Vision will examine Assange’s time in political asylum in its first series of short films.

Laura Poitras (Grant Lamos IV/Getty Images)

Laura Poitras (Grant Lamos IV/Getty Images)

11 Sep 2015 – Laura Poitras, the award-winning director behind Edward Snowden feature Citizenfour, has launched a new project dedicated to “journalistic filmmaking.” The documentary unit, named Field of Vision, will produce 40 to 50 “episodic and individual short-form nonfiction films” across three seasons every year, with 2015’s inaugural season set to begin on September 29th. The first series of shorts, made by Poitras herself, will look at the story of Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange, chronicling his publication of diplomatic cables and his time spent in political asylum in London’s Ecuadorian embassy.

Poitras says the aim of Field of Vision is to “expand the language of visual journalism.” Speaking to The Intercept, she said: “How do you communicate about the world through the tools that are available to us, as people who work in a visual medium? How can we understand the world differently through images?” Poitras adds that the films could potentially deal with breaking news, but that she wants them to “have resonance beyond [the news cycle].” She notes that the episodic structure of Field of Vision will help create a unique experience. “I’m a huge fan of House of Cards — you can’t stop watching it. It’s really exciting as a storyteller to work in that form.”

https://twitter.com/fieldofvision/status/641712430117167104/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

Poitras is working with fellow filmmaker AJ Schnack, as well as Charlotte Cook (formerly the director of programming at the Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto). Films commissioned by Field of Vision will be published at The Intercept and “distributed through a variety of partners, including film festivals, streaming and cable.”

____________________________

James Vincent – London reporter for The Verge since Dec 01, 2014.

Go to Original – theverge.com

Share this article:


DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions expressed in pieces republished here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of TMS. In accordance with title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. TMS has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is TMS endorsed or sponsored by the originator. “GO TO ORIGINAL” links are provided as a convenience to our readers and allow for verification of authenticity. However, as originating pages are often updated by their originating host sites, the versions posted may not match the versions our readers view when clicking the “GO TO ORIGINAL” links. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Comments are closed.