WATCH: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Stars as Edward Snowden in Oliver Stone"s "Snowden"

Edward Snowden Interview on Apple vs. FBI, Privacy, the NSA, and More

The film tells the story of the now-infamous former NSA contractor who became one of the most wanted men in the world when he published a trove of classified documents in summer 2013, detailing the National Security Administrations covert surveillance techniques.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is set to play the titular hero/traitor, who is currently living in Russia, where he fled to avoid espionage charges in the United States.

This latest trailer gives fans a first look at Gordon-Levitt as Edward Snowden and Shailene Woodley (The Descendants, Insurgent) as Snowdens love interest Lindsay Mills. Nicolas Cage, Melissa Leo, Timothy Olyphant, Scott Eastwood, Tom Wilkinson, and Zachary Quinto also star.

In March, writer-director Oliver Stone revealed that hed held secret meetings with Snowden in Russia to prepare for the film, and he had even moved the entire production to Germany at one point to avoid possible interference from the NSA.

Its an amazing story, Stone said at the Sun Valley Film Festival in Iowa. Heres a young man, 30 years old at that time, and he does something thats so powerful. Who at 30 years old would do that, sacrificing his life in that way?

Gordon-Levitt also met with Snowden during the course of the films production, later telling the Guardian that he believes what the ex-NSA contractor did was right.

Now, as he would say, its not for him to say whether it was right or wrong. Thats really for people to decide on their own, and I would encourage anybody to decide that on their own, the actor told the paper. I dont want to be the actor guy whos like, You should listen to me! What he did was right! I dont think thats my place. Even though thatiswhat I believe that what he did was right.

Snowden is due out in theaters September 16.

Follow Daniel Nussbaum on Twitter: @dznussbaum.

Source: http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2016/04/27/joseph-gordon-levitt-edward-snowden-oliver-stones-snowden/

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Bust Of Edward Snowden Erected In Fort Greene Park, Promptly Covered ...

A bust of Edward Snowden was erected overnight in Fort Greene Parkand it's already been covered up by authorities.

[UPDATE BELOW] The 100-pound bust of the (in)famous NSA whistleblower was erected near the park's Prison Ship Martyrs Monument early Monday morning. The artists who pulled it off told ANIMAL:

"Fort Greenes Prison Ship Martyrs Monument is a memorial to American POWs who lost their lives during the Revolutionary War. We have updated this monument to highlight those who sacrifice their safety in the fight against modern-day tyrannies. It would be a dishonor to those memorialized here to not laud those who protect the ideals they fought for, as Edward Snowden has by bringing the NSAs 4th-Amendment-violating surveillance programs to light. All too often, figures who strive to uphold these ideals have been cast as criminals rather than in bronze.

"Our goal is to bring a renewed vitality to the space and prompt even more visitors to ponder the sacrifices made for their freedoms. We hope this inspires them to reflect upon the responsibility we all bear to ensure our liberties exist long into the future."

Authorities quickly covered the bust with a tarp, thus shielding parents from all sorts of invasive questions from their curious offspring, like "What is the NSA?" and "Isn't it ironic that the bust of a man known for blowing the lid off of the country's surveillance program is now being physically hidden with a tarp?"

Most visitors to the park, it seems, have no problem with Snowden's likeness watching over them as they walk their dogs.

"By covering it, it attracts more attention to the issue of censorship" park-goer Justine Williams told us."I thought it was a fantastic stunt and act of resistance. It so beautifully slipped into the aesthetic of the other things in the park."

As one passerby earnestly asked: "When's the unveiling?"

The NYC Parks Department declined to comment on the guerilla bust.

Reporting by Maud Rozee

Update, 4:10 p.m.: And that's the end of that.

Source: http://gothamist.com/2015/04/06/snowden_bust_fort_greene.php

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