One of the most compelling, and still unfolding stories in years will hit the silver screen in the coming years, as reporter Glenn Greenwald’s just-published book, No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA and the U. S. Surveillance State, has been picked up by Sony Pictures.
“Edward Snowden’s explosive revelations have raised important questions about the role of government in protecting its citizens and the balance between national security and personal freedom. We are extremely proud that Michael, Barbara and Glenn chose Sony to bring this riveting story to the big screen, and believe that Glenn’s account of this incredible international event will make for a gripping and unforgettable film,” said Doug Belgrad, President of Columbia Pictures.
It’s been nearly a year since Greenwald wrote his first story on the NSA’s secret spying initiatives, with the help of leaked documents from former contractor Edward Snowden. Since then, Snowden documents continue to be released, revealing more and more information on the extent of the surveillance state in the U.S. and abroad and sparking a national dialogue on the issue.
His book, No Place to Hide, focuses on not only the true story behind the Snowden leaks, but also Greenwald’s analysis on the implications of the revelations. It was only released worldwide on Tuesday, and Sony has already announced its intentions to turn it into a film.
“I’m very happy to be working with Amy Pascal, Doug Belgrad, and the team at Sony Pictures Entertainment who have a successful track record of making thoughtful and nuanced true-life stories that audiences want to see. Growing up, I was heavily influenced by political films, and am excited about the opportunity to be part of a political film that will resonate with today’s moviegoers,” said Greenwald.
According to the New York Times, it took a while for the film to land with Sony Pictures, as many potential buyers were hesitant to take on such a hot-button topic, especially one where the story is far from over. Snowden is still living in Russia, and is wanted by the U.S. government.
On Tuesday, Greenwald also released over 100 new pages of Snowden documents.
Today @ggreenwald released over 100 pages of new Snowden documents detailing the breadth and depth of NSA spying. https://t.co/K1yft2qeLh
— EFF (@EFF) May 13, 2014
Last year, Greenwald announced that he would be leaving The Guardian. His new venture, The Intercept, is now live.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
