| Reality Winner | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Sonia Kennebeck |
| Produced by |
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| Cinematography | Torsten Lapp |
| Edited by | Maxine Goedicke |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Codebreaker Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Reality Winner is a 2021 Americandocumentary film, directed and produced bySonia Kennebeck.Wim Wenders serves as an executive producer. It followsReality Winner, who leaked a top secret document aboutRussian interference in the 2016 United States elections to the media.
The film had its world premiere atSouth by Southwest on March 17, 2021, and was released on October 11, 2023, by Codebreaker Films.
The film followsReality Winner, who leaked a document aboutRussian interference in the 2016 United States elections to the media. Winner, Billie Winner-Davis, Brittany Winner, Gary Davis,Betsy Reed,Edward Snowden,John Kiriakou, andThomas Drake appear in the film, whileNatalia Dyer narrates letters and poems by Winner.[1]
Sonia Kennebeck was drawn toReality Winner's story, meeting with her mother, Billie Winner-Davis, frustrated with the lack of journalists covering the story, Kennebeck was granted access to the family and document.[2] While in prison, Kennebeck attempted to interview Winner, however, was told by prison authorities her request was denied.[3]
Following the film's premiere atSouth by Southwest, the film was completely re-edited, upon Winner's release from prison, and sitting down for an interview.[4] Kennebeck turned toKickstarter to raise funds to complete post-production and to self-distribute the film, after struggling to secure distribution.[5]
The film had its world premiere atSouth by Southwest on March 17, 2021.[6] It also screened atCPH:DOX in April 2021.[7] It was released on October 11, 2023, prior to avideo on demand release on October 31, 2023, by Grasshopper Film.[8]
Reality Winner received positive reviews from film critics. It holds a 91% approval rating onreview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, based on 22 reviews.[9] OnMetacritic, the film holds a rating of 56 out of 100, based on seven critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[10]