Cert 15
130 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong real images of violence and strong language
So, who in the two and a half years of the everyfilm challenge has been consistently the best film-maker?
Alex Gibney. That's who.
In fact, long before everyfilm became my obsession, Gibney was making documentaries about stuff that matters.
Most recently, he investigated the scandalous acceptance of paedophilia in the Catholic church in Mea Maxima Culpa. It was a tremendous piece of work.
Here, just as impressively, he delves into the murky world of secrets and the so-called champion of free speech, Julian Assange.
I am aware that We Steal Secrets is seen by some Assange supporters as a hatchet job.
Inevitably, they will believe that Gibney gave the Wikileaks founder one in the eye because he refused an interview for less than $1million.
Having seen much of Gibney's other work, I very much doubt it.
Indeed, for much of this documentary, one would believe that Gibney was lining up on Assange's side.
He charts the Australian's rise from small-time hacker to world renown secret-sharer and, in particular, his role in spreading the files downloaded by Bradley Manning, the US army computer operative.
Manning collected videos and documents relating to the American operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In particular, he released the damning footage in which a helicopter gunship shot down innocents, including children and two Reuters reporters, in Baghdad.
To my mind, Wikileaks' role in publishing this material was of world importance and, personally, I was delighted that it had ripped a hole in the ever-growing machine of secrecy.
As said, Assange was not interviewed for Gibney's film but many of his associates were and their interviews, along with footage and records of Manning emails, make up a fascinating film.
What transpires, despite the conspiracies against him, is that Assange is something of a flawed character, who, himself, has had his head turned by fame.
But what Gibney allows is for the viewer to have their own opinion on Assange, the American government, Wikleaks and whether our society is too secret and our leaders too evasive.
In other words: watch this brilliant film and make your own minds up.
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 9.5/10