Many docos are worthy records of important historical events. Others explore issues and events that are good subjects for examination and deserve to be brought to the public’s attention. But with few exceptions, When We Were Kings (1996) and The Fog of War (2003) are a couple that spring to mind, most do not qualify in terms of an entertaining or compelling couple of diversionary hours
We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks is no exception.
While the whole Wikileaks saga has great importance and relevance and includes some extreme and eccentric personalities that could make for fascinating viewing, We Steal Secrets takes a very analytical approach. Ultimately, it’s 130 minutes of talking.
Admittedly there’s a lot of important ground to cover, and the level of detail in which the story is analysed is impressive. Many of the major and behind-the-scenes players are interviewed at length and there are a few personal revelations. But for followers of the Wikileaks saga there is little new information, just added depth to what is already in the public domain.
As one film in a range of many, good and bad, as part of the Sydney Film Festival, We Steal Secrets had merit. But on its own it could have done with some serious editing. It’s a lot to take in if you’re as shallow as me and just want some cinematic enjoyment.
