Reality Winner (film)

Reality Winner
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySonia Kennebeck
Produced by
  • Sonia Kennebeck
  • Ines Hofmann Kanna
CinematographyTorsten Lapp
Edited byMaxine Goedicke
Production
companies
Distributed byCodebreaker Films
Release dates
  • March 17, 2021 (2021-03-17) (SXSW)
  • October 11, 2023 (2023-10-11)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Reality Winner is a 2021 American documentary film, directed and produced by Sonia Kennebeck. Wim Wenders serves as an executive producer. It follows Reality Winner, who leaked a top secret document about Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections to the media.

The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 17, 2021, and was released on October 11, 2023, by Codebreaker Films.

Synopsis

The film follows Reality Winner, who leaked a document about Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections to the media. Winner, Billie Winner-Davis, Brittany Winner, Gary Davis, Betsy Reed, Edward Snowden, John Kiriakou, and Thomas Drake appear in the film, while Natalia Dyer narrates letters and poems by Winner.[1]

Production

Sonia Kennebeck was drawn to Reality Winner's story, meeting with her mother, Billie Winner-Davis, frustrated with the lack of journalists covering the story, Kennebeck was granted access to the family and document.[2] While in prison, Kennebeck attempted to interview Winner, however, was told by prison authorities her request was denied.[3]

Following the film's premiere at South by Southwest, the film was completely re-edited, upon Winner's release from prison, and sitting down for an interview.[4] Kennebeck turned to Kickstarter to raise funds to complete post-production and to self-distribute the film, after struggling to secure distribution.[5]

Release

The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 17, 2021.[6] It also screened at CPH:DOX in April 2021.[7] It was released on October 11, 2023, prior to a video on demand release on October 31, 2023, by Grasshopper Film.[8]

Reception

Reality Winner received positive reviews from film critics. It holds a 90% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 21 reviews, with a weighted average of 6.90/10.[9] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 58 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[10]

References

  1. ^ "United States vs. Reality Winner". South by Southwest. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  2. ^ Wissot, Lauren (October 12, 2023). ""We Offered to Bear Witness": Sonia Kennebeck on Reality Winner". Filmmaker. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  3. ^ Welsh, Savannah (October 12, 2023). "Reality Winner Speaks: "The Punishment Is the Message"". Vanity Fair. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  4. ^ Saito, Stephen (October 11, 2023). "Sonia Kennebeck on Getting a Complete Picture in "Reality Winner"". Moveable Fest. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  5. ^ Gosztola, Kevin (December 12, 2022). "Filmmakers Crowdfund To Finish Documentary On NSA Whistleblower Reality Winner". The Dissenter. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  6. ^ Day-Ramos, Dino (February 10, 2021). "SXSW Film Festival Unveils Full Lineup; Charli XCX Quarantine Feature To Close Fest; Tom Petty Docu Set As Centerpiece". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  7. ^ Rosser, Michael (March 18, 2021). "CPH:DOX unveils 2021 competition line-ups". Screen International. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  8. ^ Carey, Matthew (September 21, 2023). "'Reality Winner' Trailer: Imprisoned NSA Whistleblower Who Became A Cause Célèbre Shares Her Story With Director Sonia Kennebeck". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  9. ^ "United States vs. Reality Winner". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  10. ^ "Reality Winner". Metacritic. Retrieved October 12, 2023.