Trailer Link

Release Date:

June 27, 2014

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “The story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz. From Swartz’s help in the development of the basic internet protocol RSS to his co-founding of Reddit, his fingerprints are all over the internet. But it was Swartz’s groundbreaking work in social justice and political organizing combined with his aggressive approach to information access that ensnared him in a two year legal nightmare. It was a battle that ended with the taking of his own life at the age of 26. Aaron’s story touched a nerve with people far beyond the online communities in which he was a celebrity. This film is a personal story about what we lose when we are tone deaf about technology and its relationship to our civil liberties.”

Poster: B- / D

Review: A comparison in contrasts, these two posters position the film’s subject in the same physical position, and merely alters lighting and typeface. The result is drastically different. The first design makes the subject, Aaron Swartz, seem normal. The one on the right, although just an image bathed in the cool glow of a computer screen makes Swartz look almost demonic. Why a documentary that seems to be intent on praising Swartz would option for a design like that is surprising even if that’s how his enemies painted him.

Trailer: B+

Review: A fascinating subject, discussing the tragic life and death of a prominent computer programmer turned free-internet activist railroaded by the government and driven to suicide by the very body that was supposed to protect him. This passion is infused into the trailer, which makes it feel critically important.

Oscar Prospects:

None.

Revisions:

(June 22, 2014) Original