Edward Snowden Documentary CITIZENFOUR to Air 2/23 on HBO

The acclaimed documentary CITIZENFOUR, one of the most talked-about films of 2014, will debut MONDAY, FEB. 23 (9:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO, it was announced today by Sheila Nevins, president, HBO Documentary Films.

Directed by Oscar nominee Laura Poitras ("My Country, My Country"), CITIZENFOUR is a real-life international thriller that unfolds by the minute. With unprecedented access, this gripping behind-the-scenes chronicle follows Poitras and journalist Glenn Greenwald's remarkable encounters with Edward Snowden in a Hong Kong hotel room as he hands over classified documents that provide evidence of mass indiscriminate and illegal invasions of privacy by the National Security Agency (NSA).

Poitras had been working on a film about surveillance for two years when Snowden contacted her, using the name "Citizenfour," in Jan. 2013. He reached out to Poitras because he knew she was a longtime target of government surveillance who had refused to be intimidated. When Snowden told Poitras he would not conceal his identity as the source of information on the massive surveillance of Americans by the NSA, Poitras persuaded him to meet in person and let her film their encounter.

CITIZENFOUR places viewers in the hotel room with Poitras, Greenwald and Snowden as they attempt to manage the media storm raging outside, forced to make quick decisions that will affect their lives and all around them. The documentary not only shows the dangers of governmental surveillance, but makes audiences feel them. After seeing the film, viewers will never think the same way about their phone, e-mail, credit cards, web browser or digital footprint again.

Since its world premiere at the prestigious New York Film Festival, the film has earned multiple awards, including honors from the New York Film Critics, Los Angeles Film Critics, Boston Film Critics, San Francisco Film Critics, San Diego Film Critics, Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics, Detroit Film Critics, St. Louis Film Critics, Gothams and the IDAs.

RADiUS presents a Praxis Films production; in association with Participant Media and HBO Documentary Films; in coproduction with Bertha Foundation, BRITDOC Circle, Channel 4, Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) and Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR); directed, filmed and produced by Laura Poitras; edited and produced by Mathilde Bonnefoy; produced by Dirk Wilutzky; co-producers, Katy Scoggin, Kirsten Johnson; executive producers, Steven Soderbergh, Jeff Skoll, Diane Weyermann, David Menschel, Tom Quinn. For HBO: supervising producer, Sara Bernstein; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.